If you were born before 2000, you'll get the unique affection previous generations had for album covers: They weren't just music collections but also cherished artworks.
From the Beatles’ 1967 album, “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” to Queen’s iconic 1977 album, “News of the World,” to Grace Jones’ eye-popping 1985 album, “Island Life,” the 60s through 90s offered no shortage of graphic goodies to feast on for hours.
“Unless you were born in the basement of an art gallery, album covers were the first bit of art that we saw in our lives,” said Richard Burroughs, a Brooklyn-based DJ, writer and art curator. “Be it Stevie Wonder’s ‘Songs in the Key of Life,’ these covers were the first bit of art you experienced in your hands in a non-museum setting.”
As a DJ, Burroughs' connection to vinyl and records has been uninterrupted, spanning pretty much his entire life, which is why, in 2011, when he began to get into art curation, he conceived “Cover Lover Remix,” a touring group exhibition of local artists that remix their favorite album covers.
“This exhibit makes contemporary art accessible, because you see the work of amazing visual artists within the context of something you’re familiar with,” Burroughs said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that the artist loves the album. Because the music could’ve been trash… but the cover could’ve been all that!”
Since 2011, between his writing and DJ gigs, Burroughs has continued running the exhibit off and on, “remixing” the artists while touring in different cities. Most recently, the exhibit landed back in Brooklyn.
Cover Lover Remix– The 90s Edition, is on display now, until April 29, at The Brooklyn Navy Yard’s DSGN Gallery, located at 144 Flushing Avenue, Suite 1313.
Exhibiting artists include Pablo Power remixing “Take A Look Around” by Masta Ace; street artist Savior El Mundo remixes “Return To The 36 Chamber” by Ol’Dirty Bastard; and Voodo Fè remixes the “Ready To Die” album by the Notorious B.I.G.
Hudson Valley-based John Gilbert remixes “Ritual De Lo Habitual” from Jane’s Addiction; Lauren Rudolph flips the “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik” album cover by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers; muralist Vince Ballentine reimagines “The Low-End Theory,” from A Tribe Called Quest; Trine Giaever remixes “(What’s The Story) Morning Glory,” by Oasis; and artist Lupe Inès Cariño, does a remix of "Las Baladas" by Hombres G.
Other participating artists include Android OI, Wennie Huang, Shawn McKinney, Mere, and M.Tooley.Parker who remixes “Last Splash” by The Breeders, and Adam Krueger who reimagines Snoop Doggs’ “Doggy Style” cover.
The show is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 3:00pm-7:00pm, by appointment only. Email appointments to coverloverremix@gmail.com or tyler@canvasraw.com. And there will be an Artist Talk on Saturday, April 20th, 4:00pm-6:00pm.
“The show is amazing!” said Burroughs. “It’s a beautiful example of how contemporary art and pop culture come together while supporting the love of vinyl records.”
