House Poster 2016

Robert Sammelin made this poster for the film “House,” probably with a computer, maybe with pencils first. I can imagine him sitting at his desk and sketching, trying things out, figuring out how to make a scary movie look fun. The poster has such a strong, edgy feel, with sharp blacks and whites. It's like a window breaking, which is a metaphor for how horror films allow us to peek into different realms. The way he uses thin, sharp lines gives everything a sense of urgency and tension. But there's also a sense of humor. You can see it in the ghoulish grin on that lady with the curly hair. Overall, this poster fits into a long history of artists using images to grab our attention and provoke a response, like Goya or the Chapman Brothers. Art is constantly in conversation with itself, and this poster has something to say.