lizzytysh wrote:Thanks for everything you've done and continue to do for Leonard and for all of us, Jarkko, Eija, and Rauli!
This logo competition was a brilliant idea! An unbelievable array of excellent designs! Such difficult choices for you, Jarkko, to have to make. After my top choice, the rest became MUCH more difficult! Finally, I have a reasonable amount of time to make my own comments on that choice. Some of it may be redundant because I have made so many notes and am now trying to condense.
So, my left arm became sore as I scrolled, concealing the names of the creators, my arm placed accordingly; I kept my eyes trained on the next logo coming, so as not to see the previous names, after they'd passed [being as human as anyone else, and not wanting to be swayed according to who had done what]. After the initial scroll, I looked away and tried to remember which ones stood out in my memory... and why. Then, looked at each and tried to 'assess' [by who-knows-what-criteria
or overall-message-intended-to-be-conveyed that Jarkko might use in making his choices
]. Then, I abandoned that approach and just went with my own. I returned to each of them individually, and tried the best I could to assess the elements of each, according to what my own thoughts on them were. I finally had to look at the names. By the time I did, however, I'd already decided whose logo was my own preference for number one. It was Ania's. That may seem a bit awkward since I so strongly encouraged her to grapple with her brain freeze, and get busy with this, but I came to her logo honestly as my top choice. I loved it before I realized it was hers.
From the way I read Jarkko's listing of the entries, there were three overall categories. Each of Jarkko's selections were in one of the three categories, i.e. Gold/Silver/Special and not ranked within each, but simply shown in alphabetical order. Heartfelt and sincere CONGRATULATIONS to all of you for your work well done!!! CONGRATULATIONS, Ania, for making it into the top three!!!
Overview
First are my overview reasons. Then, I'll list my nuts-and-bolts detail reasons. I definitely understand that Ania may be the only one who's interested in reading all of this, but that's okay. Hers generated the most thoughts, so I'll do my best to express them. I've tried my best to condense them, and will no doubt be editing, to make sure I get at least most everything said. So, here goes...
The Files and Forum have been online for 20 years [thank heaven!] and this will be the first, official logo for the dynamic duo [Files & Forum], beyond Leonard's signature, which has previously been described as actually being more of a header. The length and breadth of Leonard's work, that is represented and discussed, goes far beyond these 20 years; and reaches over 50 years, half a century! When Leonard began his work, it didn't matter how he looked; as he has continued his work, up until now, it hasn't mattered how he looks; and, as he goes into the future, it will still not matter how he looks. As handsome as Leonard is, the deeper truth is it's never mattered how he looks... it was always his words, followed by his voice and his music. That he was so gorgeous and elegant in manner and dress, and soft-spoken, too, was just an amazing bonus. We cannot help but respect the whole. So, too, should the logo represent the whole.
Presented in one form or another, Leonard's work will always be that of which he is Master, the written word. Whether remaining written or being spoken or sung, he chooses his words carefully, and from various comments he's made, he appears to consider himself, first and foremost, a writer; and seemingly primarily a poet.
Therefore, for me, the logo to best represent the Files & Forum needs to be comprehensive and timeless [going back, as well as forward]. Leonard's looks will continue to change, but the essence of who he is will remain. The Files documents poetry, songs, writing, art, and photographs from throughout different times and eras of Leonard's life and career.
Ania's logo design captures the unique combination of gravitas, authenticity, and timelessness to represent all that Leonard has devoted his life to... whether his poetry, his novels, or his songs, he and they are inextricably linked with notebook and pen. Leonard Cohen is a master of words.
[I hope to finish this tonight, but it's almost 3:00 AM, and I need to tube feed my ill cat. Will return later to continue... possibly edit what's already here, plus add my Nuts and Bolts details ~~~ I'm back and have continued. So, editing this as an update at 6:30 AM.]
Nuts and Bolts Details
Profound, classy, and classic ... three words fitting Leonard also fit Ania's design. Though relatively simple in its physical presentation, Ania's design is symbolically more complex. It gives a deeper sense of the many layers of Leonard's work, as well as the many pages that are the Files and Forum. It will stand the test of time.
Ania's design does not focus on Leonard specifically as singer or musician, but as Leonard as writer, and the creator of his works of words, which includes singer and musician. It's elegant and conveys much without having to say anything. A notebook and pen are part of Leonard's every day world. I like that his signature is capitalized, and the "files" and "forum" are not... in the end, the emphasis remains on Leonard. The upward angle of his name, "files &," and the notebook is optimistic and more interesting than if they were absolutely horizontal and it creates a subtle and interesting contrast with "forum," which is horizontal and in typeset whose ink appears to be smudged. The 'writing' hearkens back in time and the typeset in that font is more modern.
With other pages of the notebook being visible, it conveys a deeper sense of the many layers of Leonard's work. His black notebook [with the subtle spiral, which works so well as a detail adding interest] and the pen have been constants with him, from the beginning through to now, the 20th Anniversary of the Files & Forum. Its overall look hearkens to the ancient, wherein Leonard's writing with its historical references, and the musical instrumentation in his songs do, as well. This logo presents as very personal, with Leonard's signature and the 'handwritten' "files." With its placement at the mid-point on the vertical plane, the files lays claim to Leonard's pen. The aging typeset of "forum;" the natural, 'aged' colours that are plain, simple, and 'him;' and the difference in the grey shading from the left page to the right, make the notebook appear to be historical, yet still 'alive,' a living work in progress. In addition, the irregularity of the pages leaves room to see them as the ragged edges of parchment or as simply a notebook, with what appears to be a loose piece of paper stuck in the back [adding realism, with that being such a likelihood with any writer].
Ania's distinctly different, unique design is very literary, as is Leonard. With the real pen in hers, it reminds me that Leonard has always been a bit of a scribe [though not as literal as the definition, it still applies] ~ "an ancient Jewish record-keeper or, later, a professional theologian and jurist," with Leonard a Jew, and his work often hearkening to the ancient, at the same time that he has recorded the angst and joy of being human, period; and historical references of religion and spirituality, with the Holocaust, Joan of Arc, Queen Victoria, Catherine Tekakwitha, Isaac, and more, as he has functioned in many ways as a scribe.
Aligning horizontally with where it says "forum" are two of Leonard's own, most beautiful logos, each representing different eras of his career. They bring a sense of lightness and pleasure that are in his work, as well; as the Hummingbird crosses the boundary of the Unified Hearts with its beak, it speaks to the forum, a place where we all gather, as those hearts unified by Leonard, to draw nectar and nourishment in many forms from each other, Jarkko, Eija, and the forum as a whole. From Book of Mercy's cover, the Unified Hearts [as David Peloquin wrote] speaks to Leonard's "personal and universal resolution of the existential twist," and again these themes appear throughout Leonard's writings and songs.
This logo is broad-based and covers 'who' Leonard is... it visually represents what Leonard, the Files, and the Forum are about without having to say or spell out a thing. Ania clearly created her design with a lot of intention. Of course, that doesn't mean hers aligned with my interpretations. It remains that I think it's brilliant!
All the best,
Lizzie
