London 1938: Defending Degenerate German Art

Mash-design collaborated closely with The Wiener Library, one of the world’s leading and most extensive archives on the Holocaust and Nazi era. We were on a mission to create an identity, graphics and a publicity campaign for a powerful exhibition showcasing artists who faced prosecution in Nazi Germany.

Engaging visitors
An exhibition at New Burlington gallery, London 1938, was the first attempt to defend them and their work on a world stage. We wanted this identity to be equally bold and obstructive as the statement made at the initial exhibition.

Creating an evocative identity
Our research led us to explore the meaning of the word ‘degenerate’ in more detail. The term was coined in the 1920’s by the Nazi party to brand contemporary art. Internationally renowned artists had their work banned from museums on the grounds that the art was an ‘insult to German feeling’.

We wanted to create typography that encapsulated the raw emotion felt amongst 1920’s art enthusiasts. This is where the inspiration for heavy scribbles and torn paper originated.

Impactful messages
Mash-design was able to spot an opportunity to attract more attention to the exhibition. We used the windows to showcase our punchy typography, sparking interest amongst passers-by.