They Live: John Carpenter's visual dystopia in print

11 Jan / 2019 / Scanner /

A visual celebration of one of the 80s most revered cult films, designed as a perfect replica from the film’s iconic magazine stand, "They Live: A Visual and Cultural Awakening" celebrates John Carpenter's iconic masterpiece in all its heavy-typographic glory.

Politics, art, music, comics, literature, philosophy, and of course film, Carpenter's movie touches on topics that are as relevant now as they were then.

Edited by Craig Oldham, the book also examines the cult film's influence and impact as told by leading cultural figures of our times.

Written and directed by legendary filmmaker, John Carpenter, who provides a foreword to the publication, "They Live" (1988) is a science-fiction action film, which was dismissed by critics upon release as it was too ahead of its time.

"They Live" has gone on to claim a cult following and earned a reputation for its political satire, social commentary, philosophical and technological forecasting, and visual aesthetics— "areas in which the film has both inspired and exerted its distinct influences since."

Produced as a perfect replica prop, with exceptional attention to detail, the book offers commentary through original contributions on the film’s core themes – including street artist, Shepard Fairey, responsible for the Obey label and iconic HOPE poster for Barack Obama; radical philosopher and thinker, Slavoj Zizek; international subvertising and activist group Brandalism and others.

The publication also features the work of artists Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, Guerrilla Girls and more.

"Subliminal messages play with your mind throughout, as well as the smell of bubblegum, and even an essay written in the language of the film’s aliens and the means to decode it" notes the publisher of the book, Rough Trade Books.

John Carpenter's "They Live" as a book! OBEY and see this:)
Nicer Tuesdays: Craig Oldham https://t.co/WVy0D28bQZ
— urška alič (@crnozanohtam) April 12, 2019