Alicja Kwade, Armin Boehm, Dennis Rudolph, Dima Zorkov, Gregor Hildebrandt, Laura Bruce, Maggie Michael, Marc Bijl, Markus Uhr, Martin Dammann, Miriam Vlaming, Ondrej Drescher, Philipp Kremer, Pola Sieverding, Ruprecht von Kaufmann, Tim Plamper, Via Lewandowsky: cover of the cover : Verena Kerfin Gallery, Köthener Strasse 28, Berlin 10963


Past exhibition
December 05 - 17, 2020
Overview
The exhibition "Cover of the Cover" delves into the intimate relationship between music and visual art, exploring the tactile and emotional connection artists have with their favorite album covers. Each cover, reinterpreted by a different artist, stands as a homage not only to the music but also to the visual identity that defines it. The artworks extend the boundaries of the traditional record sleeve, inviting viewers to consider the significance of album art in shaping musical memory and experience.

Historically, the intersection of music and visual art has been a fertile ground for experimentation and collaboration. From Andy Warhol's banana cover for The Velvet Underground & Nico to Peter Saville's minimalist work for Joy Division, album covers have often been elevated to the realm of fine art. This exhibition reflects that tradition, demonstrating how visual artists internalize and reinterpret the sonic landscapes they admire.

The installation positions these works in dialogue with the modern and nostalgic modes of music consumption: the tactile allure of physical records versus the intangible nature of digital playlists. The juxtaposition of painted covers with a functioning cassette player anchors the exhibition in a reflective space, bridging the analog and digital worlds.

The vibrant yellow walls, inscribed with grid-like patterns, act as a dynamic backdrop for the framed artworks. This design choice resonates with the modularity and rhythm of music itself, visually echoing the structure of sound. The individual pieces, ranging from painterly interpretations to graphic abstractions, evoke both the personal and universal resonance of music as a creative influence.

One standout piece features a reinterpretation of a romantic album cover with lush brushstrokes that hint at Impressionist influences. The softness of the painting contrasts with the raw angularity of other exhibited works, reflecting the diverse emotional registers evoked by music.

Music has long been a cornerstone in the lives of visual artists, often acting as an invisible muse. The record sleeve, as both a utilitarian object and a canvas for artistic expression, holds a unique place in this relationship. It functions as a tactile entry point into the ephemeral world of sound, a way of grounding the intangible in the material.

This exhibition also highlights the evolution of how music is consumed and remembered. The tactile act of pulling a record from a shelf or flipping through a stack of CDs carries with it a ritualistic quality, something inherently physical that is absent in digital platforms like Spotify or iTunes. The framed works, displayed against the bright yellow backdrop, invite the viewer to linger on this contrast, emphasizing the enduring power of album art to evoke emotion and memory.

"Cover of the Cover" is a celebration of the symbiotic relationship between music and art, a relationship that transcends the boundaries of medium and genre. It is a nostalgic nod to the tactile pleasure of physical music collections while embracing the ever-changing digital landscape. By reinterpreting iconic album covers, the artists bridge past and present, showing how visual art continues to shape the way we see and hear music.

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