There is no doubt in my mind as to the important role that Cipe Pineles played in the role of design. Not only as a woman, but also as a designer, art director and finally wife and mother. Cipe Pineles: Two Remembrances is written in two essays: one by Cipe’s adopted daughter, and the other by a long time colleague. This, I assume to provide me with the two sides of this incredible personality. The professional. The matriarch.
I was disappointed. Burtin writes about her relationship with the woman she came to call mother, the way she would point things out, and ask her to see the world in different ways. How warm and wonderful Cipe was, loving to have all kinds of people gathered in her kitchen while she cooked and sharing a good dinner with extraordinary wine. On the other hand, Ellis gives us a glimpse as to the working Cipe, selecting typefaces and being on press making sure the color was right. Adjusting and learning from her mistakes, moving forward with each day and each lesson learned.
What I wish this book included are several things: On the professional side, for example, I would have liked to know more as to how she approached problems and how she went about searching for the solutions. Her process. She managed to do so much for the working woman of the era, and yet there isn’t much said about her feelings on the subject or why she thought her ideas were good and successful. Being the first woman to become a member of the Art Directors Club must have provoked “something” within her, yet there is no mention other than the honor received.
From the non-professional aspect of her life (although bridging into it), why was she so drawn to designers? And what was it like to be married to William Golden and Will Burtin? What kind of influence did they have on her work, or vice versa?
I guess I will have to go on to other books in order to find the insightful information I am looking for, and I can stick to this publication for a list of magazines Cipe worked for, the list of her awards and an abridged timetable of her life.
Graphic Design Archives Chapbook Series: Two By Estelle Ellis and Carol Burtin Fripp
Paperback: 44 pages
Publisher: RIT Cary Graphic Arts Press
ISBN: 0975965158
bryony,
sad that in a field that has more women practitioners that men, the printed material about women pales in comparsion, particularly monographs, theoretical writings and biography.
perhaps even more revealing is the utter lack of comments here. nonetheless, your review is appreciated and has prompted me to pick the book up - shortcomings you mention about the book not withstanding.
On Jun.26.2005 at 05:59 PM