The Prompt
Los Angeles–based artist Adam Silverman collected clay, water, and wood ash from all fifty American states, Washington DC, and the five inhabited US Territories and combined them to create a set of tableware and ceremonial pots. The resulting 224 ceramic objects, titled Common Ground, is a community-activated artwork that celebrates American pluralism while also fostering human connection through shared meals and collaborative installations.
While the work was on view at the Skirball Cultural Center, I developed and designed a folded brochure to explain the artwork and the art activations that accompanied the piece.
The Design
What made Silverman’s work so special was the integration of all parts into one whole. A big theme of his work is showing every small detail and piece that then creates a larger artwork. This is true practically (soil, water, and ash used to create clay) and conceptually (individual people contributing to one goal). So when I was tasked with creating a printed piece to help the visitor gain more knowledge of the work, I was insistent on using a similar system.
The four sections of the brochure were arranged in an iron cross fold so that each stage of the project would be on view when completely unfolded. The individual panels tell the story of the art in chronological order, so the visitor is guided through each stage as they unfold the brochure. The colors and type were made to mimic the wall text next to the piece.
