The Art of Darkness

Warning Posters as Art

June 4th, 2009 by Cobwebs

WarningAfter running across this rather arresting–but artistic–warning sign, it occurred to me that it and similar signs would make attractive and unusual decorations.

A quick search should turn up quite a number of them, but you can also check places like Safety First! for loads of examples. These vintage radiation warning posters, this “mental hygiene” sign (from the University of Minnesota collection) and “dangers of unkept hair” warning (from this site) would all be attractive artworks. Copy shops like Kinko’s can print good-quality oversize pictures, so you could have these blown up to poster size and framed.

You can also find similar pictures commerically available, particularly propaganda-style posters from WWII. This “Consider the Consequences” print is attractive, and this German poster is definitely eye-catching.

If you want something a little more spare and modern, look for unusual examples of the type in the thumbnail above (that one came from a chipper/shredder warning). symbols.net and freesignage.co.uk have some good resources.

You could even do a collection of prints, all on, say, a VD-awareness theme. Unusual and educational.

Posted in Bad Things | 1 Comment »

One Response

  1. ShellHawk Says:

    Nice find! WHat a treat!