Freedom of the Press

This Vintage Saul Bass silkscreen is titled Freedom of the Press.

It is incredibly timely that we are releasing this gem from the Saul Bass Archive. The silkscreen is based on a design that was commissioned by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and used by them as a pamphlet cover.

At the moment the pencil tip touches touches the paper, the simple action of truth-telling, along with the freedom to do so, releases bold swaths of exuberant color that are reminiscent of a flag blowing in the wind, one that waves in celebration of a fundamental American principle. The poster is extremely effective, balancing patriotic colors with a message that is both celebratory and cautious: very much a reflection of the Watergate-era zeitgeist, yet also perfectly representative of the current U.S. political climate.

Both the message and design had enduring appeal for Saul, and years after it was originally created, Saul commissioned a silkscreen print run of the image from the Art Krebs Studio in Los Angeles.