Invented by Bernard Silver in 1948, the barcode went on to become one of the greatest success stories of the late 20th century, adorning most commercially available products around the world. Its omnipresence in modern society makes the barcode particularly appealing to artists, many of whom have featured it in their works.
As well as the power of the barcode as a symbol of commercialism and consumerism, artists are attracted to the bicolour simplicity of the barcode design. While arguably attractive in its own right, the barcode cries out for artistic modification and numerous artists, from Scott Blake to the ubiquitous Banksy, have interpreted it in unique and highly original ways. It has also become a powerful anti-capitalist motif in both tattoo and graffiti art.
1. Barcode Art on the Streets
Banksy isn’t the only street artist incorporating the barcode into his work (not by a long chalk!) Simple to paint and with strong anti-capitalist connotations, the barcode has proved a popular motif for many. Stencilled barcodes can be seen throughout most of the world’s major cities.
Headache
Image: trepelu
Barcode Escape
Image: insert_user_name
Space Invaders
Image: shoehorn99
Fitzroy
Image: sensesmaybenumbed
Aware Resa
Image: indecliner
Barcode Wall
Image: Fifi LePew
Barcoded Playground
Image: meophamman
2. The Barcode Building of St. Petersburg
This wacky barcode fronted building, in St. Petersburg, Russia, was designed by architects Vitruvius and Sons. As the design suggests, inside you’ll find thousands of products for sale in various shops. Disappointingly, however, the enormous barcode is invalid and says nothing when scanned.
Images: Best Top Design
Image: English Russia
Images: Best Top Design
3. Art. Lebedev's Striking Barcode Posters
Russian design company Art. Lebedev uses a barcode as their company logo. As well as designing graphics and websites, they also come up with fantastic posters, subtly incorporating a barcode into each one.
New Picassos
Image: Art. Lebedev
New Berries
Image: Art. Lebedev
New Melodies
Image: Art. Lebedev
New Sides
Image: Art. Lebedev
New Eyelashes
Image: Art. Lebedev
4. Scott Blake's Pioneering Barcode Art
Scott Blake is the world’s foremost barcode artist. While many more renowned artists have featured barcodes in their work, none have concentrated solely on them to the same extent. Born in Florida in 1976, his work has been featured in the New York Times and in many exhibitions throughout the United States.
I Am What I Eat
Image: Scott Blake
Barcode Oprah
Image: Scott Blake
Barcode Graffiti
Image: Scott Blake
Summer’s Break Up
Image: Scott Blake
5. The Product Barcode Art of D-Barcode
Japanese firm D-Barcode has redesigned hundreds of barcodes for use on products in their native country. Through their creative approach to design, they have come up with barcodes resembling everything, from aprons to skyscrapers and castles. The best thing about these barcodes is that they actually work!
Image: Avi Abrams
Image: Avi Abrams
Image: Avi Abrams
6. Banksy's Barcoded Street Art
For those who don’t know, Banksy is the world’s most famous and sought after street artist, his works selling for millions of pounds. Almost all of his work is satirical, poking fun at politics, capitalism and consumerism, hence the barcode, which is a recurring symbol in his stencil paintings.
Barcode Leopard
Image: Jeremy Lay
Barcode Shark 1
Image: Bristol Graffiti
Britney and Madonna Kiss
Image: unknown
7. Barcode Art in Advertising
The power of the barcode as a symbol of consumption is such that it features regularly in advertisements. Some of the most interesting can be seen below.
Shopping in Curtiba
Image: Coloribus
Leagas Delaney London: Barcode
Image: Coloribus
Globus
Image: Coloribus
Carrefour
Image: Ads of the World
Coca Cola
Image: Coloribus
Google's Barcoded Logo
Image: Google
8. The Freaking News Competition
Freaking News held a Photoshop competition to see who could create the most accomplished piece of barcode art. Some of the entries were incredible, as you can see from the selection here.
Young Productions Clone
Image: Lesmack
Butterfly
Image: Ninha
Baby Barcode
Image: Liltim
Waterfall
Image: Graham
9. Tattooed Barcode Art
The barcode became one of the most popular tattoos of the nineties, and although it’s popularity has waned somewhat in recent years, it remains a dominant anti-capitalist motif in tattoo art. If you want a barcode tattoo, but are not quite ready to permanently disfigure your skin, buy some barcode tattoo transfers from Barcode Art.
Tokkou
Image: tinywookie042
Skull Tattoo
Image: Jaume d'Urgell
Super Fan
Image: archiemcphee