FIFTY FICTIVE RECORD COVERS

August 2016

DIGITAL ABSTRACTION MEETS GRAPHICS

This is just a bit of fun really. I was trying to cheer myself up following disappointments in July. Do they merit inclusion? For the moment they have their place. As with the Encription series in 2014, they were a way of collecting more abstract images generated in preceding series into some sort of theme. They did not have a consistent undertone of vague menace like Encription, probably due to the introduction of colour. So I looked elsewhere. The idea of record sleeves was actually suggested by the square format (true of vinyl and CD covers) which I stumbled upon as I relaxed picture shape in preceding series. I am not normally drawn to a square format. The association between music and abstraction in painting is longstanding, although not that prevalent in actual record sleeve design. The tension between painting’s ambitions and advertising’s fashions certainly steered my efforts.

The idea of imaginary titles for actual musicians was a way of granting more leeway in matching image to a type of music. And it obviously provided scope for humour. As the series progressed, choice of music soon directed imagery and suggested typefaces and more figurative elements, so the series became more about graphic design. In part it became a reflection on my belated studies in graphic design (2008-11) in part reflection on my music collection.

More notes at the bottom of the page.