Attendees chat amongst the variety of typographic art set on display during the “Type Out Loud” openeing reception Thursday at the UCF Art Gallery.
Attendees gathered on Thursday evening for the opening reception of “Type Out Loud”, an exhibit that captures the essence of American culture through typographic art.
Featuring typographic artwork from a variety of artists and a 30-foot-long timeline plastered on the wall, the broadsides, or posters, tell the history of American print media and the stories that go along with it.
“Typographic broadsides can be a powerful, artistic form of broadcasting social, political, and cultural messages. “Type Out Loud” shows how,” according to UCF Art Gallery’s website.
The timeline of American printing spans 30 feet of the UCF Art Gallery wall, highlighting history from the 1600s to 2010.
The exhibit, co-curated by UCF lecturer Ashley Taylor and University of Florida associate professor Dr. Dori Griffin, breaks down the process of printing and curating the broadsides and examines the role they play in shaping visual culture.
Artists from a variety of backgrounds submitted their curated typographic works, highlighting their experiences and diversity, Taylor said. Griffin said that many stories throughout history have been overlooked and intentionally excluded in the history of American print media.
“As humans living in the United States, we are such an amazingly rich and diverse collection of people and there are so many stories that, for whatever reason, haven’t been told yet,” Griffin said.
Griffin said that people can invest in hearing different viewpoints to address all histories whether they’re difficult, complicated or joyful.
“I hope that folks take away the idea that history is complex and messy and expansive and beautiful,” Griffin said. “Our goal needs to be to hear as many stories as we possibly can.”
Co-curators Ashley Taylor and Dori Griffin stand against their display to discuss the process behind bringing the exhibit to life on Thursday. The duo’s typography was displayed at the UCF Art Gallery inside the Visual Arts Building.
The exhibit features a wheat pasted timeline as well as a curation of typography from a variety of artists spanning topics from identity to politics and American culture.
From getting the approval of the display in February 2023 to opening night, Taylor said that planning the layout was difficult with such a large gallery but through collaboration with the gallery staff and Griffin, she’s very proud of the final product.
“It truly was a collaboration of people that knew the space and people like me and Dori that knew the work, and I think it’s perfect,” Taylor said.
Taylor said she always imagined a gallery of posters featuring typography art with a historical angle. She said that this exhibit is a special opportunity for typography as a means of expression, and the final showcase of history and artist-selected work turned out beautifully.
“To be able to show our love in this exhibition has truly been rewarding,” Taylor said.
“Type Out Loud” is open to the public with free admission from now until February 9.
