Eye Magazine

Hot on the heels of their intriguing exhibition of Saul Bass posters, the Kemistry gallery (a fitting venue for phonetics) plays host to the ICAO Phonetic Spelling Alphabet as interpreted by Eat Sleep Work / Play, Inventory Studio (one of the practices behind ‘The Art of Conversation’) & Julia, writes Alexander Ecob.

The ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization] alphabet, originally developed in the 1930s to aid communication under poor signal conditions, is here represented with playful typographical forms larking about on A2 posters.

First shown as part of Tokyo’s UK?OK!!, the project plays on the international theme of the alphabet’s intent – though all of the studios featured are London based.

A wider range of participating designers might have made the work richer, but as they stand, the pieces give off a great sense of fun. Also on display will be a specially commissioned installation featuring a short story that makes use of every single letter from this alphabet. Sets and individual prints will be available to purchase.

Roger That!
24 March > 16 April
Kemistry Gallery
43 Charlotte Road, Shoreditch
London EC2A 3PD

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