Although Western films were shown during the Soviet era in the Communist Bloc, American publicity materials were banned, allowing the state-commissioned artists to operate with creative freedom from the demands of the big Hollywood studios, offering quirky interpretations which often had more of a symbolic rather than literal reference to the film. One of the co-founders of the Polish School of Posters, renowned Polish artist Wiktor Gorka designed this striking poster for the first Polish release of Stanley Kubrick’s transcendent 1968 sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1973. One of the best and most sought after poster designs to emerge from the Polish School, Gorka's bold artwork focused on an interpretation of the sinister machine at the centre of the film - Hal 9000 - a sentient artificial intelligence computer that controls the spacecraft.

Widely regarded as the most influential science fiction film of all time, 2001: A Space Odyssey revolutionised the genre, presenting an astoundingly accurate depiction of space flight and projecting a mesmerising and awe-inspiring vision of the future with its pioneering special effects, eerie sentient technology and vast spacecraft revolving gracefully to sweeping strains of classical music. Addressing themes of human evolution, existentialism, artificial intelligence, technology and the possibility of extra-terrestrial life, the film’s central voyage to Jupiter is sandwiched between an ambiguous opening scene portraying the moment primordial apes discovered tools and a confounding climax sequence which sees astronaut David Bowman travels beyond the known universe through a psychedelic wormhole. Establishing the sci-fi blockbuster as a Hollywood staple, 2001 has been hailed as the “grandfather” of such films, with notable filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas crediting its considerable influence.

Provenance

Excellent (A)

Conservation backed on linen with no restoration. Backing has smoothed and diminished one vertical and three horizontal manual folds so that they are virtually invisible. Tiny printing imperfection above 'Y' at upper edge. Image and colours excellent.