A self-combusting book and more from graphic designer Patrick Oltean

Date
18 October 2016

Patrick Oltean is a German graphic designer creating thought-provoking publications with an underlying morbid message. Each of Patrick’s books is distinctively designed, but he continuously adds a three-dimensional element to the work that elevates its theoretical side.

A project that displays this best is Live for nothing, die for something, your call, a provocatively named book that will immediately ignite upon opening. The book itself (which you can only view online as the physical object will self combust), is a representation of “victims of oppression, exploitation and discrimination, who were facing unbearable situations. The confrontation with a hopeless situation is the kindling spark”. Once the book has burnt out all that remains is an offset plate, “engraved with the names of the victims”.

Patrick also uses his ability to create work with physical qualities to produce publications with problem solving capabilities – for instance Rome Is Our Gallery, a flyer for a class trip through the city. The journey took the class to performances and video works dealing with the clash of German and Italian culture. Due to the low budget of the trip Patrick created a flyer with all the relevant information, “capturing the soul of the individual performances into snapshots and bringing these unusual exhibitions back to life”.

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Patrick Oltean: Live For Nothing, Die For Something, Your Call

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Patrick Oltean: Rome Is Our Gallery

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Patrick Oltean: Rome Is Our Gallery

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Patrick Oltean: Rome Is Our Gallery

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Patrick Oltean: Jonestown

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About the Author

Lucy Bourton

Lucy (she/her) is the senior editor at Insights, a research-driven department with It's Nice That. Get in contact with her for potential Insights collaborations or to discuss Insights' fortnightly column, POV. Lucy has been a part of the team at It's Nice That since 2016, first joining as a staff writer after graduating from Chelsea College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design Communication.

lb@itsnicethat.com

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