About Stefan Sagmeister
Stefan Sagmeister is an internationally acclaimed graphic designer and artist, renowned for his work on album covers, visual identity projects, and explorations of happiness and the aesthetics of everyday life. Born in Austria in 1962, Sagmeister has built a career that spans over three decades, with his unique approach to design and art captivating audiences worldwide.
The “My Butter is Better” Exhibition
Sagmeister’s latest exhibition, “My Butter is Better,” has arrived at the Galería Hilario Galguera in Madrid, Spain. This unique showcase aims to merge design, statistics, and historical painting into a cohesive visual narrative.
Inspiration and Concept
During his residency at the American Academy in Rome, Sagmeister found himself questioning contemporary perceptions of democracy through conversations with academics and creators. Intrigued by an offhand remark from a European Court lawyer about the supposed end of democracy, Sagmeister decided to investigate further.
His research revealed a different picture: in 1823, there was only one democracy; by 1923, the number had grown to 18; and today, in 2023, there are 96 democratic countries. Sagmeister realized that instead of witnessing the decline of democracy, we are actually experiencing its golden age.
Data as Artistic Material
This realization led Sagmeister to use quantitative data as an artistic material. He believes that “graphic expressions based on data are closer to the facts” and aims to communicate transparently through his art.
In his pieces, statistical visualizations are embedded into historical paintings, creating a dialogue that combines the memory of the past with the evidence of the present.
Title and Optimism
The title “My Butter is Better” reflects an informed optimism that acknowledges global crises without succumbing to pessimism. Sagmeister emphasizes that, despite numerous pressing issues, we have more opportunities to resolve them if we recognize our past achievements.
He believes that narrating social change requires both criticism of what doesn’t work and recognition of accomplishments. The choice of historical paintings symbolizes continuity and resilience, as they originate from the same period when the first modern data were being collected and have survived for centuries.
Sagmeister’s Creative Approach
With a background in both design and art, Sagmeister combines the clarity of communication with the aesthetic endurance in his work. His creations not only present information but transform it into an experience.
Key Questions and Answers
- What inspired Stefan Sagmeister to create “My Butter is Better”? The conversation with a lawyer about the supposed end of democracy prompted Sagmeister to investigate further, leading him to discover that we are actually experiencing the golden age of democracy.
- How does Sagmeister use data in his art? He employs quantitative data as an artistic material, aiming to communicate transparently and create a dialogue between historical paintings and contemporary statistical visualizations.
- What does the title “My Butter is Better” signify? It represents an informed optimism that acknowledges global crises without falling into pessimism, emphasizing the importance of recognizing past achievements.
- Why did Sagmeister choose historical paintings for his exhibition? These paintings symbolize continuity and resilience, as they originate from the same period when the first modern data were being collected and have survived for centuries.
- What is Sagmeister’s approach to blending design and art? His dual career in design and art allows him to merge the functional clarity of design with the aesthetic longevity of art, creating works that transform information into experience.
