The Artistry of Cole Gerst

THE graphic design genius of Cole Gerst struck me the first time I saw his indie-rock posters for Spaceland and the T-shirts he designs as Option-G: Birds, bears and other animals against a cool, retro-modernist background.

His work struck me as in the tradition of architect John Lautner and illustrator Charley Harper, with its mariage of nature and culture -- what architecture historian Alan Hess has called "organic modernism."

But his new work shows that marriage breaking down. The animals are still there, but in a much more perilous cityscape.

HERE is my piece on Gerst, and his new show at Ghettogloss Gallery, in today's LATimes.