Playbox Theatre Company, Melbourne, Australia 1990

Curator: This striking poster is for the Playbox Theatre Company in Melbourne, Australia, created in 1990 for The Malthouse Theatre Complex. The artist is Boris Bućan, a Croatian graphic designer. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by its almost Byzantine feel mixed with a definite Art Deco sensibility. There’s a very specific sense of symbolism at play; an image with a strong presence. Curator: Absolutely, and considering Bućan’s background, it's interesting to think about how his experiences in a socialist Yugoslavia might have informed his visual language. There’s a theatricality to the image—the stylized bird figure emerging from what looks like stylized flames. What do you make of it? Editor: Well, birds, especially rising ones, are powerful symbols. Consider the phoenix—a potent image of rebirth and renewal that speaks to resilience and transformation through trials. It gives the play an extra layer, alluding to rising from the ashes of difficulties or rising up the society. Also, it connects strongly to Malthouse which also might mean it rises from barley/grain from Malthouse factory that stood before there. It has connections to rising through a social context of hard physical labour in factory environment into culture through theater. Curator: Yes, the reference to flames feels loaded in a broader context. It makes me think of collective memory, cultural upheaval, or the role of art in addressing these narratives. The work reflects cultural context which alludes to social and economic implications. Also, the vertical black text on both sides anchors the image. Editor: True. The bold colors, combined with these recurring vertical lines give a modern sacred geometry, a visually appealing take. What do you think it evokes overall for today's audiences? Curator: For a contemporary viewer, I think the image prompts a reflection on how institutions create and perpetuate their identity through graphic design. This poster functions almost as an act of cultural branding. Editor: A perfect note! Its bold symbolism stays with you, bridging time and culture, inviting its audience into layers of visual association.