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IBM Gold Circle

Paul Rand

Artwork Details

IBM Gold Circle
1981
Paul Rand
silkscreen on paper
36 1/4 x 24 5/8 x 1 1/2 in. (92.07 x 62.55 x 3.81 cm)
Gift of Franc Nunoo-Quarcoo and Maria Phillips
2016/2.201

Description

Subject Matter:

Paul Rand transformed the corporate identity of IBM into one that was universally recognized as representative of “innovation” and “dedication.” Rand includes the striped-IBM logo in the lower right corner in order to tie the theme of the event to the identity of the company. The abstracted images not only are playful, but also are suggestive of the location of the event: verdant Hawaii. The letters “O”, “P,” and “D” stand for “Office Products Division,” which was the topic of the conference. The large gold “O” serves two purposes: one as the letter “o” and the other as a rebus of the event name Gold Circle. The visual of a gold circle is a powerful symbol of harmony and power.

EC 2017

Physical Description:

A poster advertising a Golden Circle event at the Kauai Surf Hotel. The text is set next to three shapes: a blue cloud, a gold circle, a pink flower, and a green leaf alongside a red letter “P” and a green letter “D.”

EC 2017

Usage Rights:

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