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A T-shirt as a Tonic?

The Libertarian has produced some new T-shirts and they are not the average run of the mill...

 

There are so many bombardments of imagery used all the time, so much of which we probably don't consciously take in, it just slips in without us noticing. We know alot of imagery comes from advertising and marketing campaigns, so if their subliminal information slips into our mind what about other things in our environment like the clothes we wear?

Take for example that retro style basketball T-shirt readily available on any high street; it has been reproduced so many times that it doesn't actually mean anything. Flashing space filling graphics around doesn't really say much about you, so why not use your clothing as a tool to keep your mind busy rather than passive?

This was the inspiration for The Libertarian "Crossword" T-shirt. A T-shirt that can keep you (and those around you) occupied. Mobile brain training if you like, sending goodness back into your subconscious.

“Crossword” has another interesting aspect which it shares with the “Paint by Numbers Full English” and the “Dot to Dot” T-shirt. They encourage the wearer to actually draw, colour and mark the T-shirt. This is the point where you cry:

“Great a new inclusive relationship for me to have with my clothes...this could make me see the world in a different way!”

A little far fetched but if a T-shirt can change the habit of the relationship you have with your clothes, why cant it influence the way you see things in a slightly new way? (Dot to Dot Coloured in)

This leads me to the statement T-shirt. A representation of what you believe written right across your chest; but how often do you find a statement T-shirt that actually has relevance?

Looking back to the mindless generic T-shirts which are endlessly produced, they don't represent anything other than one big cliché. The Libertarian's answer to this is their “Club Cliché” T-shirt. A grey marl scrummage T-shirt with 80's style neon pink lettering.

Along a similar anti-mass production theme there is the “The high street has no heart”, “Product of mass consumption” and “SALE!” T-shirts. You may argue that highlighting consumerism on a T-shirt that you can buy is a contradiction in its self. However these designs are about communicating these ideas directly to the effected. They bring issues about the current economic state of consumerism to people that may not be otherwise reached or interested and open them for discussion in a bright, colourful and kitsch way.

 

Are these T-shirts just T-shirts?

 

Can a T-shirt be art, and can a designer be an artist?

 

 

Lets wait and see...  

 

 

 

 

 

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