Liz Plahn’s (pronounced like “plain”) senior project is paper on top of paper on top of paper. It’s on the “American working class” in a modern well-set context. The most striking moment I had peeking at this project early, (it’s currently hanging in physical form at the MCAD,) was with the poster above, part of the “Black and White Posters” part of the project. We went from working for ourselves to taking from our neighbor to defending ourselves against giant, mutant killer frogs. That’s what it means Liz, right?

Below is basically every bit of documentation miss Plahn currently has on her project “All Prologue.” Take each bit for what it’s worth, as each little page has intrinsic aesthetic and metaphysical value. This is a designer in the heart.

All Prologue is an investigation into the historical and contemporary struggles of the American working class, and how they are reflected in my personal histories and experiences.

The goal of the project is to create work that speaks deeply to both the working class and art communities, while remaining an inherently personal study.

From the project:

An excerpt from Barbara Kopple’s 1976 documentary about Kentucky coal miners, Harlan County, USA. In this scene, while picketing the Duke Power Co. in New York City, miner Jerry Johnson discusses with a local police officer the disparities between their respective professions.

Jerry Johnson: The tunnels here is just like a mine.
NYC Police Officer: Yeah.
Jerry Johnson: Only ours is about 42 inches high.
NYC Police Officer: I think-I think these are more secure than a mine, sir. I wouldn’t mind going under here, but your mines-
Jerry Johnson: Yeah. You wouldn’t wanna go in the mines?
NYC Police Officer: No.
Jerry Johnson: They could make a good profit off the mines if they had a union. They won’t give us one.
NYC Police Officer: Make good profit, but they keep it all themselves. Right?
Jerry Johnson: Yeah.
NYC Police Officer: They don’t spread the wealth. I thought you guys got paid a little more than you do. You don’t get paid a bad salary, but I thought it was a little more.
Jerry Johnson: We get paid real good, but, you know-
nyc police officer: No, it’s not. What’s real good? Five dollars, six dollars an hour?
Jerry Johnson: Yeah, we-
NYC Police Officer: That’s not real good. I make more than that.
Jerry Johnson: Yeah?
NYC Police Officer: Sure, I do.
Jerry Johnson: The policeman makes less down there.
NYC Police Officer: We make about seven.
Jerry Johnson: God! That’s good money. We draw union strike benefits. And it’s real hard, you know, to live on a hundred. Is your job real dangerous, though?
NYC Police Officer: Look at me.
Jerry Johnson: I mean-
NYC Police Officer: This is all I do. It’s a lot of bullshit.
Jerry Johnson: I mean a lot of people don’t understand that that electricity burnin’ over there takes somebody dyin’ every day for it. There’s one man dies every day. You probably got medical coverage.
NYC Police Officer: Free.
Jerry Johnson: Free medical coverage. I’d save up, buddy, buy a house. Kids all get sick, I’d have to spend every penny-
NYC Police Officer: What about dental?
Jerry Johnson: No dental. You got dental?
NYC Police Officer: Dental.
Jerry Johnson: Goddamn.
NYC Police Officer: We got dental. We got all kinds of health. We got drugs. I could retire at 36. Half pay-10,000 a year.
Jerry Johnson: Well they don’t want us to ever be able to retire.
NYC Police Officer: That’s bad.
Jerry Johnson: That’s the reason we’re here. That’s the reason we’re on strike. Been on strike nine months.
NYC Police Officer: Nine months?
Jerry Johnson: Nine months.
NYC Police Officer: I thought this was the first day.
Jerry Johnson: No! This is nine months. We can’t get a-they won’t sign a contract.
NYC Police Officer: It’s good you came here to bring some publicity.
Jerry Johnson: Yeah. Yeah.

This project is hanging on the second floor of the MCAD along the giant stairway. Details for the show are at the MCAD site and oh, look at that, right here:
When: May 6-17, 2009
Where: MCAD Gallery | All Galleries
Reception: Saturday, May 16, 5-7 p.m.

Graduating students from all departments of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program present their thesis work.

This exhibition is open to the general public, and admission is complimentary. Click for gallery hours and directions to campus.

Personal Sketchbook
Ongoing (last updated 3/19)

An ongoing collection of scans from my sketchbook. These pages visually and literally describe my thought process as I continue to move forward with this project.

Minnesota Iron Range
Feb 2009

Photographs documenting a trip to the Minnesota Iron Range, and exploring it’s role in Minnesota labor history and the state’s working class.

Digital Collages
Feb 2009

Quick exercises in synthesizing my research into something visual.

Liz loves to make plans, write out directions, and keep notes.

LIZ PLAHN
Address: 2501 Garfield Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Telephone: +1 (320) 333 1018
Electronic Mail: lizplahn@gmail.com
URL: http://helloliz.us

EDUCATION
+ Minneapolis College of Art & Design; BFA: Graphic Design
[May 2009]

EXPERIENCE
+ DesignWorks; Minneapolis, Minnesota
Graphic Designer
[2007–Present]
+ Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art; North Adams, MA
Design Intern
[June–September 2008]
+ Walker Art Center; Minneapolis, MN
Freelance Graphic Designer
[January–April 2008]
+ Freelance Graphic Designer
Clients includes local artist Stacey Davidson
[2008]

EXHIBITIONS & HONORS
+ Featured in HOW Books’ upcoming publication CREATIVE GRAB BAG
[August 2009]
+ MCAD Commencement Exhibition

MCAD Gallery
[May 2009]
+ AIGA Design Road Show
Student category winner | Weisman Art Museum; Minneapolis, MN
[2008]
+ Photographic Illuminations: The Art of Narrative
Curator | MCAD Gallery
[2008]

SKILLS
+ Strong conceptualization, time management and research skills.

Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign & Dreamweaver
Microsoft Word, Excel & Powerpoint
Working knowledge of HTML and CSS
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

A real live design junky for MCAD Portfolio Week!