Mark Novotny, Artist

Visual Art Created by M.N.

Bloomington Rides (1978)
Bloomington has always been a cyclist friendly city thanks in part to the Little 500. The race was moved to Bill Armstrong Stadium in 1982. It is in the “old” Memorial Stadium 
where the filmed race in “Breaking Away” took place. The movie is based on real Little 500 cyclist, Dave Blase. It has also provided inspiration for the Bollywood film, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.
Bloomington Archive and Museum show
These posters were made for a group art show that was a collaboration between Sweet Hickory and Art Hospital. I created a set of fake posters that tied into some specific facet of life in Bloomington.

Bloomington Rides (1978)

Bloomington has always been a cyclist friendly city thanks in part to the Little 500. The race was moved to Bill Armstrong Stadium in 1982. It is in the “old” Memorial Stadium

where the filmed race in “Breaking Away” took place. The movie is based on real Little 500 cyclist, Dave Blase. It has also provided inspiration for the Bollywood film, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.

Bloomington Archive and Museum show

These posters were made for a group art show that was a collaboration between Sweet Hickory and Art Hospital. I created a set of fake posters that tied into some specific facet of life in Bloomington.




Bloomington Washes Its Hands (1951)
This poster was a common site in Bloomington’s elementary schools and workplaces all throughout the 1950s. Later in 1969, it was reissued to deal with the hippie epidemic.

Bloomington Archive and Museum show
These posters were made for a group art show that was a collaboration between Sweet Hickory and Art Hospital. I created a set of fake posters that tied into some specific facet of life in Bloomington.

Bloomington Washes Its Hands (1951)

This poster was a common site in Bloomington’s elementary schools and workplaces all throughout the 1950s. Later in 1969, it was reissued to deal with the hippie epidemic.


Bloomington Archive and Museum show

These posters were made for a group art show that was a collaboration between Sweet Hickory and Art Hospital. I created a set of fake posters that tied into some specific facet of life in Bloomington.


Protest Poster Against Westinghouse (1967)
 
For almost 30 years, Westinghouse Electric used PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls), which now occupies landfills and lakes around the area.  The Environmental Protection Agency and International Agency for Research on Cancer have determined that they are potential carcinogens.  Symptoms may include acute systemic poisoning, shown changes in blood and urine that may indicate liver damage, dermal and ocular lesions, lowered immune response, and irregular menstrual cycles. Studies have shown that PCBs alter estrogen levels in the body and contribute to reproduction problems, in addition to lower birth weights and poorer cognitive development. In total, almost 2 million pounds were dumped in Monroe and Owen counties making it the largest concentration in the world.  This recent year, Monroe County approved a plan to clean up the 3 remaining contaminated sites in the City of Bloomington. The proposed $9.6 million is to be paid by Westinghouse successor, CBS Corp.
Bloomington Archive and Museum show
These posters were made for a group art show that was a collaboration between Sweet Hickory and Art Hospital. I created a set of fake posters that tied into some specific facet of life in Bloomington.

Protest Poster Against Westinghouse (1967)

 

For almost 30 years, Westinghouse Electric used PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls), which now occupies landfills and lakes around the area.  The Environmental Protection Agency and International Agency for Research on Cancer have determined that they are potential carcinogens.  Symptoms may include acute systemic poisoning, shown changes in blood and urine that may indicate liver damage, dermal and ocular lesions, lowered immune response, and irregular menstrual cycles. Studies have shown that PCBs alter estrogen levels in the body and contribute to reproduction problems, in addition to lower birth weights and poorer cognitive development. In total, almost 2 million pounds were dumped in Monroe and Owen counties making it the largest concentration in the world.  This recent year, Monroe County approved a plan to clean up the 3 remaining contaminated sites in the City of Bloomington. The proposed $9.6 million is to be paid by Westinghouse successor, CBS Corp.

Bloomington Archive and Museum show

These posters were made for a group art show that was a collaboration between Sweet Hickory and Art Hospital. I created a set of fake posters that tied into some specific facet of life in Bloomington.


Indiana Celebrates Diversity (1956)
 
As a result of increased Klan activity, Indiana officials issued this poster as a response to the negative image of the state. At the time, opponents argued that the design was communist. A different poster, “Bloomington United In Diversity”, was passed out to residents in conjunction. These can still be seen around town today.  Bloomington shares sister city status with Posoltega, Nicaragua, Santa Clara Cuba, and Luchou Township, Taiwan.
                                                                               
Collected Posters of Bloomington’s Past                                                           
“Walking Cities”, such as Bloomington, have traditionally been more in tune with people’s movements. City planning focused around a gathering center or main street, which is heavily pedestrian, provides ample space for interaction. This communication is not limited only to personal interactions. Walking around town, visual indications such as posters, flyers, and graffiti also provide a dialogue. 
 
In the Paris riots of 1968, posters were mainly responsible for providing context to the events and keeping participants updated to current developments. In Communist countries and also in the work of the WPA in the United States, posters provided information and even moral instruction to large masses. While these concepts have become culturally outdated or technologically ineffective, one must admire the attempts as a noble endeavor.
 
This collection, pulled from various times in Bloomington’s history, is intended to mirror social and cultural changes still relevant today: just as the posters that hang on the walls in present day are still relevant to our personal histories.
                                                             *            *           *
Bloomington Archive and Museum show
These posters were made for a group art show that was a collaboration between Sweet Hickory and Art Hospital. I created a set of fake posters that tied into some specific facet of life in Bloomington.

Indiana Celebrates Diversity (1956)

 

As a result of increased Klan activity, Indiana officials issued this poster as a response to the negative image of the state. At the time, opponents argued that the design was communist. A different poster, “Bloomington United In Diversity”, was passed out to residents in conjunction. These can still be seen around town today.  Bloomington shares sister city status with Posoltega, Nicaragua, Santa Clara Cuba, and Luchou Township, Taiwan.

                                                                              

Collected Posters of Bloomington’s Past                                                          

“Walking Cities”, such as Bloomington, have traditionally been more in tune with people’s movements. City planning focused around a gathering center or main street, which is heavily pedestrian, provides ample space for interaction. This communication is not limited only to personal interactions. Walking around town, visual indications such as posters, flyers, and graffiti also provide a dialogue.

 

In the Paris riots of 1968, posters were mainly responsible for providing context to the events and keeping participants updated to current developments. In Communist countries and also in the work of the WPA in the United States, posters provided information and even moral instruction to large masses. While these concepts have become culturally outdated or technologically ineffective, one must admire the attempts as a noble endeavor.

 

This collection, pulled from various times in Bloomington’s history, is intended to mirror social and cultural changes still relevant today: just as the posters that hang on the walls in present day are still relevant to our personal histories.

                                                             *            *           *

Bloomington Archive and Museum show

These posters were made for a group art show that was a collaboration between Sweet Hickory and Art Hospital. I created a set of fake posters that tied into some specific facet of life in Bloomington.

Quarry. Bloomington, IN. 2005

Quarry. Bloomington, IN. 2005

Between Manjung and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Between Manjung and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

My Precious Girl Fest, Kuala Lumpur, 2008

My Precious Girl Fest, Kuala Lumpur, 2008

Phoenix Bodies Quad Cities. Circa 2004

The Geeks at the Beat Kitchen. Chicago. Circa 2006

The Geeks at the Beat Kitchen. Chicago. Circa 2006