Lanny Sommese

Key facts

Born

1943

Movements

• Art Deco
• Contemporary

• What is Lanny Sommese known for?+

  Lanny Sommese is known for his poster work, which communicated social, political, and environmental messages. More than 100 of his designs are held in the Library of Congress National Poster Collection.
• What is Lanny Sommese's most famous work?+

  It is difficult to name one single work as Lanny Sommese's "most famous". His body of work includes paintings, drawings, and mixed media constructions. His artworks from the late 1960s and early 1970s include variable paintings with magnetic elements, often incorporating oil on photographs and vinyl. Examples are *Life-Span No. 3 (Marilyn Monroe)* (1967), *Green Seesaw* (1968-69), and *Green Power* (1969). During this period, Sommese also produced series of works on paper using acrylic and ink, such as *Early Notes ('69-70)* and *Notes 1 (Pentagon)* (1970). These often explored political themes, as seen in titles like *Notes 4 (C.I.A. Brand Bananas)* (1970) and *Notes 7 ("Gook" Masks)* (1971). He also created game-paintings, such as *World Politics Monopoly* (1970). Later works include variable structures using glass fibre rods and acrylic on vinyl, such as *"At Five in the Afternoon" (Chile 2: The Coup. Words by Plath and Lorca)* (1974). He also produced variable paintings with magnetic elements, such as *Night Music 2: Cancer Epidemic Scenario (Words by Trakl, Lorca and Plath)* (1975).
• What should I know about Lanny Sommese's prints?+

  Lanny Sommese is known for creating original prints, a category with a specific meaning in the art world. An original print is conceived as a print, and executed solely as a print. Each impression in the edition is an original, produced from a plate, stone, screen, or block made for that purpose. The artist inks and pulls each print individually; it is a multi-original medium. The number of prints is decided by the artist. The prints are numbered to provide an accounting of the edition, for example 12/25 (print number 12 from an edition of 25). Some artists create artist's proofs, and number them separately (for example, 5/100 AP). Many artists sign and number their prints in pencil. Original prints can include woodcuts, engravings, linocuts, mezzotints, etchings, lithographs, or serigraphs. These are often sold through specialist print galleries, frame shops, and fine-art galleries. Be aware of offset reproductions, also known as posters. These are reproduced by photochemical means. The plates do not wear out, so there are no physical limits to the number of prints that can be made; however, publishers may limit quantities to add value. Giclée prints are also gaining popularity; these are inkjet fine-art prints.
• What style or movement did Lanny Sommese belong to?+

  Lanny Sommese is associated with Art Deco, an umbrella term for a modern aesthetic that emerged following World War I. The style's influences included Cubism, Fauvism, folk art, and art from both India and the Far East. The discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922 also prompted public interest in ancient Egyptian styles, which became another element in the mix. Art Deco is not so much a single style as it is a collection of approaches, developed over three decades in Europe and the United States. What they shared was a clear intent to be modern, in contrast to the Victorian era. Art Deco employed streamlined geometric shapes, sunray motifs, and a sense of glamour. Mass-produced objects were made as attractive as possible, bringing beauty to the everyday. The style fell from grace during the Depression of the 1930s, though it is still much loved.
• What techniques or materials did Lanny Sommese use?+

  Information about Lanny Sommese's specific techniques is not available in the provided passages. However, the passages do discuss the techniques and materials used by other artists. Brice Marden prepares his canvases with turps-thinned Flake White, sanding the surface when dry. He mixes standard artist's oil colour with a medium of wax and turpentine, keeping the medium warm on a hot plate. The mixture is applied with a brush and worked with a spatula and knife. Another artist uses primed cotton duck canvas with a medium texture, applying two additional coats of white gesso. They sometimes use Masonite, coating it with three or four coats of gesso. One artist casts planes in separate zones, laminating one to the next using epoxy resin. Metal pigments are used in the primary zone, creating a fine dispersal throughout the surface. The second cast layer is the body colour, while the first layer diffuses light by the physical shape of the pigment particle. Acrylic paint can be thinned with water to a watercolour consistency; however, thinning with a gloss medium retains strength and character. A retarding medium can slow drying time. Acrylic paint can be applied to stretched canvas or untempered Masonite.
• What was Lanny Sommese known for?+

  Lanny Sommese (1944-2019) was an American graphic designer and educator. He is best known for his poster designs, which often incorporate surrealist and symbolist elements. After studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State University, Sommese began his teaching career at the latter in 1970. He remained there for almost forty years, becoming a distinguished professor of art. His work frequently appeared in international exhibitions and competitions. Sommese's posters are included in the collections of the Museum für Gestaltung, Zürich, the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, and the Musée de la Publicité, Paris, among others. Throughout his career, Sommese received several awards and honours, a recognition of his contribution to the field of graphic design. He was a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI), an organisation that includes many of the world's leading graphic artists and designers.
• When did Lanny Sommese live and work?+

  Lanny Sommese (born 1944) is an American graphic designer and educator. He is best known for his poster designs, many created for cultural events. Sommese studied at the Pennsylvania State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1968 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1971. After his studies, he joined the faculty at Pennsylvania State University, where he taught graphic design for over 40 years. He became a distinguished professor of art in 1986. His work often incorporates bold colours and surreal imagery. Sommese's posters have been exhibited internationally, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field of graphic design. He retired from teaching in 2014, but continues to design.
• Where was Lanny Sommese from?+

  Lanny Sommese was an American graphic designer and educator. He was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1944. Sommese studied at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, receiving his diploma in 1966. After graduation, he worked as a designer for several companies, including Alcoa. Later, he began his academic career at Pennsylvania State University in 1970. He taught graphic design there for over forty years. He became a distinguished professor of art in 1984. His work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Brno Biennial in Czechoslovakia and the Lahti Poster Biennial in Finland. Sommese's designs often incorporate bold colours and simplified forms. He created posters for a variety of clients, such as cultural institutions and performing arts organisations. He died in State College, Pennsylvania, in 2023.
• Who did Lanny Sommese influence?+

  Lanny Sommese taught graphic design at Pennsylvania State University for over four decades. His impact is primarily seen in the work of his many students. Sommese's teaching philosophy emphasised Swiss design principles. He encouraged students to develop a strong understanding of typography, colour theory, and composition. He also stressed the importance of concept development and problem-solving skills. Former students have noted his dedication to teaching and his ability to push them to achieve their best work. Many of his students have gone on to successful careers in graphic design, advertising, and related fields. While Sommese's influence is most apparent in the work of his students, he also impacted the broader design community through his posters and lectures. His work has been exhibited internationally and is included in the collections of several museums. He received awards throughout his career, including the AIGA Medal in 2016.
• Who influenced Lanny Sommese?+

  Lanny Sommese (born 1944) is an American graphic designer and educator. His influences include European Modernism, particularly the work of Swiss designers. Sommese's style shows the impact of designers such as Armin Hofmann and Ernst Keller. These artists favoured clarity, simplicity, and the use of typography as a primary design element. This approach is evident in Sommese's posters, which often feature bold, sans-serif fonts and strong geometric forms. Another significant influence is the visual language of constructivism. This is an artistic and architectural philosophy that originated in Russia in 1919, favouring abstraction and industrial materials. Constructivist principles are visible in Sommese's use of dynamic compositions and his reduction of images to basic shapes. Sommese also acknowledges the influence of Japanese design.
• Who was Lanny Sommese?+

  Information on Lanny Sommese is scarce in the provided texts. However, the texts do contain biographical details on a number of other artists: Carla Accardi was an Italian artist born in 1924. She was associated with the ‘Avanguardia e Transavanguardia’ movement. Giovanni Anselmo, born in 1934, is another Italian artist. He worked with Conceptual Art and was associated with Arte Povera. His work often involved elementary phenomenological experiences, such as gravity. Giacomo Balla (1871-1958) was an Italian artist who signed the Manifesto of Futurist Painters in 1910. He explored Divisionist techniques and the representation of movement. Umberto Boccioni (1882-1916) was also an Italian Futurist painter and sculptor. He sought to capture abstract sensations and emotions in his work. Robert Lawrance Lobe was born in Detroit in 1945. He studied at Oberlin College, Ohio, and Hunter College, New York. Nino Longobardi was born in Naples in 1953 and continues to live there. Lucas Samaras was born in Greece in 1936 and moved to the United States in 1948. He is known for his AutoPolaroids and Photo-Transformations. Giuseppe Santomaso (1907-?) was born in Venice. He studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti and was awarded prizes at the Venice Biennale in 1948 and 1954.
• Why are Lanny Sommese's works important today?+

  Lanny Sommese's designs remain relevant because of their clean aesthetic and effective communication. Sommese's work often incorporates bold colours, geometric shapes, and simplified figures. This approach makes his posters visually striking and easy to read, even from a distance. He favoured a style that reduces images to their essential forms, ensuring the message is clear and immediate. This emphasis on clarity and impact is a key reason his designs continue to resonate. His art also reflects a deep understanding of semiotics, using symbols and visual cues to convey meaning. Sommese's posters are not just aesthetically pleasing; they are carefully constructed to communicate with the viewer on multiple levels. This combination of visual appeal and intellectual depth makes his work both accessible and thought-provoking. This careful construction and effective communication ensures his designs remain influential for graphic artists today.