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BRIAN LINDSTROM: BASES LOADED “Putting lights in Wrigley Field is like putting aluminum siding on the Sistine Chapel.” – Roger Simon
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aseball says different things to different people. Some people love it for the statistics, others for the lush sights and sounds. Brian Lindstrom, a graphic designer and printmaker currently studying at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, loves baseball for the tradition. The stories, legends and athletes that have come and gone throughout the decades have compiled a massive legacy that is ripe for artistic expression. Lindstrom dove into this legacy as the inspiration for a series of 18 screenprinted posters, titling the series “Bases Loaded”. Lindstrom deftly combines carefully hand drawn typography and iconography with some of the greatest moments in the history of the game (including some quirkily obscure ones) to create a stunning series of work that any devoted fan of baseball’s colorful history will love. Brian carefully selected his subjects and his medium. The moments of baseball lore he focuses on range from the great players like Lou Gehrig and Hank Aaron, to contriversies in the Steroid Era, and the more delightfully obscure,
like the first game played under artificial lights in Wrigley Field (Lindstrom’s Cubby fandom showing through). The colors are classic red and blue, honoring the position baseball holds in American culture. The designs are printed onto massive 26”x40 sheets of wool felt, mimicing pennants. Lindstrom’s hand made designs reflect the intimacy of baseball, how it has touched us all individually in unique ways. In his words, “The game of baseball is intertwined in the fabric of the United States of America. The players are household names and the sights, smells, and sounds conjure up memories of our past.” These prints are baseball, they perfectly capture its essence. I was fortunate enough to interview Brian about his experiences, his love of baseball, and his work. You can find more images and information about the Bases Loaded series at www.basesloadedseries.com, and see more of Brian’s work at www.newbaric.com.
THE EEPHUS LEAGUE MAGAZINE
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