Reviving Shakespeare: Jisuke Matsuda's Innovative Poster Design

Reinterpreting Richard III through Contemporary Art and Typography

Jisuke Matsuda's inspiration for this design came from the timeless relevance of Shakespeare's works. The strong emotions, love, and fundamental human truths that overflow from the pages of Richard III are captured and reimagined in Matsuda's poster. The design is part of a series that aims to reconstruct the secrets of Shakespeare's plays for a contemporary audience.

The poster's unique properties lie in its depiction of Richard III, a fascinating villain who is both noble and fragile. Matsuda likens him to a Japanese castle made of stones - strong yet susceptible to damage. The background of piled stones, suggestive of a seabed undulating like a coral reef, symbolizes Richard's sunken ambitions. The intertwined typography of Richard III and Shakespeare, reminiscent of algae and seaweed, further enhances the design's depth.

Matsuda's poster was realized through offset printing and an embossing effect, giving it a distinctive look and feel. Measuring 728mm x 1030mm, the poster has a strong presence, having been showcased in numerous international competitions. Despite being a domestic event poster, it has garnered global attention.

The design project, which started in Tokyo in 2015, is part of an academic study of Shakespeare's classical drama. The goal is to reinterpret the works of the most influential playwrights in line with contemporary times. The poster visually presents a new charm, blending modern and novel colors and compositions. Both English and Japanese are fused in the typography, reflecting the languages used in the research.

Creating a fresh interpretation of a work that has been visualized countless times presented a challenge. The original text, being in a non-native language, posed some difficulties. On the technical side, creating a delicate embossing effect to add depth to the work required the print plate to be divided into multiple parts. Despite these challenges, Matsuda's design stands as a testament to his creativity and technical prowess.

In conclusion, Jisuke Matsuda's poster design for Richard III is a unique blend of contemporary art and typography that brings a fresh perspective to Shakespeare's classic play. It is a testament to the power of design to reinterpret and revitalize classic works of literature, making them relevant and engaging for contemporary audiences.