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Robert Berman Gallery announces an exhibition of Alex Steinwiss. Original album covers, paintings, and collages by Steinweiss, and special tribute by selected artists. Co-curated by Kevin Reagan and Greg Escalante.
A Tribute to Alex Steinweiss
The Creator of the Album Cover
In 1939, a 23 year old graphic designer revolutionized the music industry. No longer would records come in plain brown wrappers. As Art Director at Columbia Records, Steinweiss created the ‘album package.’ His idea was to create a visual to complement the musical. It was an instant success, and spawned an entire new field of illustration and design: Album Cover Art. Steinweiss was the king of the genre; his covers are still regarded as icons.In his four decade career, Steinweiss created album covers for musical luminaries such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Igor Stravinisky and Benny Goodman.
The Steinweiss exhibition will feature 50 of his original cover designs, plus 50 original ‘tribute’ works, created specifically for this show. Artists that are honoring Steinweiss in the show include: Clive Barker, Bill Barminski, Ron English, Mick Haggerty, Raymond Pettibon, Shag, and Glenn Wexler. The featured artists have created album covers for a wide range of musicians, including Black Flag, Dixie Chicks, Goo Goo Dolls, Supertramp, and Rob Zombie.
“Steinweiss is 90 years old this year; this tribute is long over-due. The art community is excited to have a chance to pay homage to Alex’s unprecedented contribution to album cover art,” says Kevin Reagan, three time GRAMMY winning Art Director.
“It’s amazing to discover this one man, this un-sung hero, who is responsible for inventing the album. Steinweiss should be a household name,” says Greg Escalante, curator of Juxtapoz, and co-founder of Copro-Nason Gallery.
“The opportunity to highlight ‘the art of music’ is exciting. You have the energy of two different genres, and their combination is explosive,” says gallery owner Robert Berman. “Just plain design didn’t mean a damn thing,” Steinweiss says. You had to know music. I had to find a way to bring out the beauty of the music and the story.” (dwell, 10/07)
Alex Steinweiss lives in Sarasota, Florida, where he continues to design and paint.
A Tribute to Alex Steinweiss
Gala Opening: January 19th – 6 – 9 PM.
Show runs through February 12th, 2007
Robert Berman Gallery
Bergamot Station Arts Center
2525 Michigan Avenue, C2
Santa Monica, CA 90404
FEATURED IN THE LOS ANGELES TIMES - 1/24/08
View article
Alex Steinweiss and this exhibition are featured in the January 2008
edition of JUXTAPOZ magazine
click to view the article
Installation of Original Album Covers
Alex Steinweiss (signed Piedra Blanca)
The Miraculous Mandarin, circa 1977
Acrylic on Canvas
50 x 32 inches; Framed
Alex Steinweiss (signed Piedra Blanca)
Pillars of Fire, circa 1977
Acrylic on Canvas
28 x 23.5 inches; Framed
Alex Steinweiss (signed Piedra Blanca)
Tangency 2, circa 1977
Acrylic on Canvas
51.5 x 37 inches; Framed
Alex Steinweiss (signed Piedra Blanca)
Athens West, circa 1977
Collage on Board
20 x 24 inches; Framed
