Zarah Alishahi + Sophie Zeliska

Otl Aicher was averse to excess. He condemned commodities that were purely prestigious. Design had to deliver cultural and social value-added. An object’s motivation, function and materials were paramount. Its shape was secondary and needed to be extrapolated from these.

Thinking formed part of Aicher’s practical design work. A good thought meant as much to him as a good poster. Drawing on works of graphic art that Otl Aicher produced for the town of Isny (Allgau, Germany), substance is lent here to a dedicated market — for thoughts. The focus is on exchange, action, deeds and thoughts. What can you acquire? Thoughts.

What can you give? Thoughts. Select one of the issues that also exercised Otl Aicher’s mind. Take a Post-it and either write, sketch or lend shape to what occurs to you. You can then pin the outcome to the market stall, take it home with you or exchange it for another thought.