A visual exploratory experiment of what skulls and the skeleton means in different contexts- displayed as poster design.
Year: 2023
Scope: Art Direction, Brand Strategy, Marketing and Advertising Graphic Design, Copywriting, Billboard and Poster Design
Deliverables: Billboard Design, Poster Design
The creative assignment was this: “Select an everyday object. Think about how our backgrounds or identities affect the way we look at it. For example, an engineer might want to dismantle it; a scientist might put it under water to see what would happen; a child might use it to stamp a pattern. Pick three ways of reading or using the object — ranging from scientific to experimental — and visually document them. Any medium can be used for documentation, i.e. photography, video, drawing, etc. Write a short explanation for each reading.”
I choose to select a skull or the human skeleton. The three perspectives were thus: Scientific, Religious & Cultural, and Punk Rebel (Skulls in Punk Music).
I choose to use poster design as the medium through which to communicate my ideas about how your viewpoint could change about skulls or skeletons based on what context you were coming from.
POV: Scientific
The Case for the Skull
What is the skull? From the scientific view, it provides protection for the brain and the organs. It is a case and protection. It is the structure that gives us the possibility to have an identity. This is because, at base level, all the organs, skin and face is connected to the skeleton. All of. us are only different because we have these surface, superficial differences. When we are born into a life, we are oftentimes raised within a cultural context which is usually (but not always) connected to our ethnicity. But ultimately, the skull is the unifier.
POV: Religious & Cultural
Contemplation vs Celebration
When it comes to our own mortality and our contemplation of it, the skull has been used for centuries since the dawn of humankind. Original pagan religions and belief systems- no matter where in the world- have tended to see death as a natural part of life. Something to not fear, and a symbol to embrace. A symbol that can make you value life because you consider death and its’ imminence. Christianity and Abrahamic religions present the modern day pious and secular attitude that puts a more serious, sometimes more solitary reflection on death. No one way is better than the other, but both of them exist. Skulls in this religious and cultural context is thus a symbol or connection to the soul.
Mexico, despite its’ Spanish conquistadors and colonization, retains elements of its’ pagan past which you can see in the vibrant, community oriented Day of the Dead celebrations every November 1st and 2nd.
Also to be found in Celtic paganism, the Day of the Dead - known as Samhain in the Celtic paganism world- takes places during the time of the. year when the ancestors believed that the veil between the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead was at its’ thinnest. Coincidentally or not, both Mexico and ancient Celtic lands (such as Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the UK) both had this special time of year at the end of October and beginning of November.
POV: Religious & Cultural
Christianity vs Paganism
West vs East
Secular vs Polytheistic
In contrast to a more pagan way of thinking, Christianity- though at its’ core, a good philosophy- has often been missed and there has been an element of fear - fear for not following the ways to get to heaven, fear of the devil, fear of what might happen if you aren’t a good Christian. These are, of course, manmade maladies- but they have left their impact on many people. Though a more Christian, secular viewpoint can be solemn and pious, it can also be very peaceful. Celebrations that have cultural and historical relevance such as Day of the Dead in Mexico offer peace too but in perhaps a more vibrant-colored, joyful mood that encourages you to have a good time.
Both have a religious or spiritual element- it is interesting to see how Abrahamic religions act inherently different to our collective pagan spiritual and religious pasts.
Skulls are sometimes depicted as having an element of horror, fear, or suspense; especially in movies. This viewpoint is largely rooted in Christianity and the fear mongering centered around the concept of the devil and hell that has unfortunately been used by people who claim to be peace-focused Christians.
While I don’t follow one or the other, I can see the peace in both and recognize both are important for different people on different levels.
POV: Punk Rebel (Skulls in Punk Music)
Skulls in Punk
Punk is subversive. Punk is rebellious. And what better way to show rebellion than using a “norm culture” symbol of death, destruction and chaos? Enter: the skull in punk music. Black, red and white, paint splatters, paint and handmade techniques; even the graphic style of the time was revolutionary. Since the advent of rock and roll, skulls cam etc be associated with musical cultures that celebrated the rebel, the punk, the dreamer and the anti-status quo.
