05 November 2010

Adelaide Fringe Chair Judy Potter unveiled the festival’s 2011 poster at a special event this week.

Adelaide Fringe’s 2011 poster created by 31-year-old Bulgarian designer Kamen Goranov is as strong as event registrations, featuring two wild characters made up of a collage of photography, stencil, paint and computer-generated imagery. Kamen’s prize includes a $1000 Flight Centre voucher.

“I’m so happy my poster will represent Adelaide Fringe,” Kamen said. “The inspiration for my design was to create an ironic, sarcastic and humorous image combining different elements, using mainly a collage technique. As Adelaide is situated on the coast I gave both characters some marine attributes, a ship tattoo for the king and octopus arms for the queen. My intention was to create some weird, strange icon but with some attributes, like the two crowns, that identify them as king and queen.”

Adelaide Fringe Director and Chief Executive Greg Clarke said like many Adelaide Fringe events, the two characters defy classification.

“Adelaide Fringe is about diversity and our alternative king and queen embody this,” Greg said. “Kamen’s entry was chosen as his characters capture the spirit of Adelaide Fringe – they are different, imaginative, diverse, to some strange, to others playful and out of this world.

“Adelaide Fringe has often received national and international entries, but this is the first year someone from overseas has won. Adelaide Fringe is a world-renowned arts festival that attracts artists and audiences from all over the globe, so we’re happy to welcome an international designer to the family of Adelaide Fringe poster competition winners.”

Bank SA Managing Director Jane Kittel said the poster was a vibrant addition to the Adelaide Fringe poster family, which has featured characters from leaping fish to startled deer, excited babushka dolls and tutu-clad astronauts.

“The poster is bright, fun and unique,” Jane said. “No doubt it will drive audiences to get involved in the Adelaide Fringe and BankSA’s audience-driven Adelaide Fringe news and reviews website talkfringe.com.au.”

Minister assisting the Premier in the Arts John Hill said the Adelaide Fringe poster launch was an exciting marker in the lead up to the festival.

“More than one million people attended Adelaide Fringe events in 2010 – and with a poster this vibrant, it looks like everyone will want to get their tentacles on tickets for 2011.”