Pivolo 1924

This is Cassandre’s poster, Pivolo, made in 1924. What strikes me here is Cassandre’s treatment of line, shadow, and form. I get the sense that he’s not interested in showing us something familiar, but rather in building something completely new. Take a look at the magpie, and the way that he’s built up of shapes and blocks of colour. The tail becomes the ‘L’ in ‘Volo’, the bird holding a wine glass. This bold composition is full of striking juxtapositions, and the planes of colour give the image a real sense of depth, despite the simplicity of the forms. The colours too, are striking, a limited palette of cream, black, grey, and a bold pillar-box red, create a striking visual impact. Cassandre reminds me a little of Stuart Davis; someone who is able to make very complex aesthetic decisions while working within the confines of commercial art. His understanding of Cubism and Surrealism made him a master of advertising posters. It’s a reminder that art-making doesn't have to be confined to the gallery.