PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Rising Sun: Artists in an Uncertain America exhibition was hosted by the African American Museum in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, features the work of 20 artists inspired by a reoccurring question in American history: Is the sun rising or setting on the experiment of American democracy? In a time when perspectives in the U.S. are radically disparate, the exhibition invite viewers to explore how art inspires us to reflect on, challenge, and expand our own lived experiences.

The cover abstracted photo is a gradient palette of warm oranges, yellows, and reds transitioning into cooler tones like blue and purple evokes a sense of transformation and progress, symbolizing warmth and optimism. The minimalist design is a subtle layering and texture, created by an abstracted photograph, add depth to the text, hinting at the complexity of the exhibition's themes. The cover is printed on uncoated board with a fold-out design. Its production elements—blind embossing and clear matte foil stamping—create an ever-changing surface where color and readability shift based on the viewer’s perspective, position, and lighting. This dynamic feature serves as a metaphor for the deeper themes of the exhibition, emphasizing the fluid and evolving nature of identity and perception. The embossed typography adds a tactile dimension, inviting viewers to physically engage with the book. The overall design of the Rising Sun catalog is an artistic statement in its own right—subtle, layered, and reflective of the exhibit’s themes of identity, hope, and navigating an ever-changing America.

BOOK INFORMATION

Trim Size: 8.5” x 10.75”

Number of Pages: 152

Binding Method: Smyth sewn/layflat (PUR)

Paper: Cover: 120# Accent Smooth Opaque cover Text: 100# Endurance Silk text

Typefaces: Field Gothic

CREDIT INFORMATION

Creative Director: Allan Espiritu

Art Director: Allan Espiritu

Book Designer: Allan Espiritu, Kevin Kernan + Jazel Panagsagan

Jacket/Cover Designer: Allan Espiritu, Kevin Kernan + Jazel Panagsagan

Illustrator:

Photographer: Cover: Allan Espiritu

Picture Editor: Kevin Kernan

Production Director: Kevin Kernan

Production Coordinator: Kevin Kernan

Production Artist: Jazel Panagsagan

Other Credits:

Return to the Gallery