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Blending the old with the new seems to be a consistent trend in design these days. People have become so entrenched in the idea that there is "nothing new under the sun", that it seems to have justified their constant reuse of old concepts, themes, images and so forth. A virtual amalgam of different sorts of artistic ideas and models, many graphics seem to have no continuity, no binding principle, and thus become rather cheap and over glorified versions of something that doesn't even quite validate a description.
Because of this poorly effected synthesis that seems to characterize an inordinate amount of graphic design in this present day, it is nice to see one or two designs in which there is an actual integration of different modern and historical themes and visual features. Every once in a while, one of this type of graphics bursts its way through the masses of rather boring and ugly designs to become a true classic. The best part of this is that these few graphics that stand out because they make a strong case for actually creating a seamless connection between diverse elements like baroque, gothic, and surreal dream landscapes - a much better reason to be eye candy than simply a mess of colours.
This is one of the key elements that makes this particular graphic, "dream III", a stunner. First of all, it is rendered only in vivid, high contrast black and white. It is hard truth that black and white designs must have a stronger visual element to them than colourful ones in order to catch the eye. Without the crutch of bright and attractive colouration that designers often rely on to draw in the gaze, a black and white graphic has to be all the more cleverly laid out.
This particular graphic blends in a modern twist with the delicate flowers that spring from a vine characterized by its curly and intricate growth. Atop the vine in the upper left hand side of the graphic, a small bird sits, and adds a focal point to draw the eye away from the centre and add more physicality to the vine. It is almost as if the mind, when focusing on this graphic, reminds itself: if a bird can perch on this vine, then perhaps it is more solid than its ethereal image seems to suggest. This parallel and contrast make this design a keeper.
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