Ryan Nelson, the Washington, D.C., based artist and musician will be giving a lecture titled “Punk Music and the Aesthetics of Flier Advertisements, Album Covers and Comic Art” at ETSU on Oct. 5.
Nelson will be discussing the music and art of the punk world while showcasing a plethora of his own work including silkscreen images, flier art, album covers and comics.
Nelson is a former member of bands such as Beauty Pill and The Most Secret Method.
Although I doubt that Nelson will do any “rocking out” while onstage discussing modern flier and comic art, he will be offering a unique and interesting point of view, as he is one of the premier names in “do it yourself” art and has first hand experience in the world of punk rock.
Now I know what you’re thinking, no, I really do. You are thinking, “What the blank is “do it yourself” art?” I can’t blame you for thinking that because I thought the same thing when the Student Painting and Drawing Association’s President Ericka Basile told me that is what Nelson would be speaking on. After one explanation from Basile and then another in which she used smaller words (per my request), I am no longer burdened with my ignorance of do it yourself art. The term “do it yourself art” refers to art that has been formed by someone not necessarily trained or accustomed to making art.
The Flier Art that Nelson will be speaking about is a form of do it yourself art.
Fliers are often thrown together by band members or managers and hastily reproduced in an effort to get the word out about a show.
This often has the interesting result of forming art from necessity. Nelson will be discussing the certain aesthetic quality to this type of artwork and giving insights as to its development and value over the years.
Nelson’s lecture, brought to you by the SPDA, will be held in the Brown Hall Auditorium on the ETSU campus at 7 p.m. on Oct. 5. There will be an opportunity to meet the artist and take a closer look at his prints after the lecture. This event will be free and open to the public.

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