Spechte am Meisenknödel

Spechte am Meisenknödel (“Woodpeckers at the fat ball”) is a publication for the exhibition of the same name at Ernst Barlach Haus, Hamburg. It shows works by students of Elisabeth Wagner’s sculpture class at the Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design in Kiel.

Hamburg-based designers Insa Kühlcke-Schmoldt and Nina Massow from Káschem Büro have designed the entire catalogue with just one typeface family: Sombra, from title and headline to the body text.
Their reflections on the design (translated from German)

When we were thinking about the catalogue “Spechte am Meisenknödel”, it was important to us to find a design that would fit the exhibition as well as the museum itself. So we tried to let the essence of the functionalist architecture of the Barlach House influence the concept of the overall appearance: through a simple structure, a clear design of the inside section, the calm and restrained colours.
We chose the Sombra as a counterbalance to this overall appearance of simplicity. Its proportions, based on a geometric structure, are reminiscent of the formal language of classic modern architecture. At the same time, the eye-catching graphic features (for example the hairline diacritics, a high stroke contrast, flourishing terminals and tapered details) bring a refreshing contrast to the layout.

The striking title set on the grey cover subtly reflects the irony and humour of the exhibition title. The exaggerated content of woodpeckers pecking at titmouse dumplings is underlined by the visual exaggeration inherent in the details of Sombra. The letters of Sombra Poster, for example, could in themselves represent sculptural objects. Sharply cut, pointed inner forms like pecking beaks, letters like expressionist Barlach sculptures.