2. Cubism
Cubism is a genre of art created in the 20th century.
Predominately in Europe, the style is established due in
Paris by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in the early
1900’s. The work was labelled for its cube like style after
French art critic Louis Vauxcelles recognised the abstract
geometrical shapes and landscapes used by Braque had
painted in 1908 at L’Estaque. The artwork produced by
Picasso was influenced significantly by African art and
the originality and newfound use of shapes was
something adopted by Picasso and Braque. The
argument that art had to follow natural perspective was
fundamentally rejected by those who adopted this style
of expressing themselves through the medium of art.
They were keen to explore and experiment with the two-
dimensionality of the canvas. Picasso and Braque
experienced with a monotone styles and colours by
experimenting with the combination
3. Cubism
This an excellent example of how Cubism has
been adopted and used for album covers. The
vibrancy of the colours adopt an authentic style
of Cubism by taking it back to its early routes
adopting geometrical experiments and colours.
The yellow and red used is to represent the
origins of the group, who are from Colombia,
and that aides their brand identity by showing
creativity and also reaffirming to their
supporters they are proud of their identity. The
fact the instruments are recognisable but the
figures are not displays how integral the
instruments are to the group as oppose to them
having one key figure who is renowned across
the world. The negative space within this album
cover has been minimalised to reflect the
business of the band and thus present the
liveliness of their music.
4. Art Deco Art Deco was a style developed in 1930s America
with the idea of being glamorous and stylish. Art
Deco was inspired by Cubism and sought to
replicate the geometrical patterns and forms
which the aforementioned style experimented
with. This style has been adopted into other forms
of fashion, furniture and architecture. The
sophistication and luxury of the style is adopted
by Literature in books like the Great Gatsby.
Furthermore, the Chrysler Building in New York
was also designed from the style of Art Deco in
mind. However, Art Deco adapted to become
more subdued and used more monotonous
materials and colours like stainless steel and
chrome plating. Art Deco is one of the first truly
international styles, but its dominance ended with
the beginning of World War II. The progenitors of
the movement where Clarice Cliff, Susie Cooper
and Michael de Klerk.
5. Art Deco
The form of Art Deco was adopted by mainstream American
band Linkin Park for the cover of their album called ‘The
Unforgettable Sound’. This use of negative spaces is clever
as it is displayed as a skyline full of clouds and stars. The
warm use of colour in orange and yellow presents the
illusion of a sunset. The contrast between day and night on
the album cover depicts the idea that the music on it is
suited to any time of day and creates this idea of being
timeless. The geometrical shapes used may this cover look
glamorous and stylish aesthetic which conforms with the
genre of alternative rock and glorifies both artist and genre.
The font used is in the style of a sans serif and just
reinforces this idea of simplicity and it is used in a red
colour to reinforce the theme of sunset/rise. The logo in the
middle enhances the brand identity and helps with the
commerciality of the band and how they make money. The
warm colours and red in the font makes this art deco
inspired album cover a real success and something which
supporters of the band could buy into. To summarise, Art
Deco could provide artist quality and provide my print
productions with real quality by inheriting the geometrical
use of shapes and by filling the negative spaces.
6. Minimalism
Minimalism was created in New York during the 1960’s in
direct contrast to the expressionism movement. The
movement had an abundance of progenitors including
Frank Stella, Kenneth Noland, Al Held, Ellsworth Kelly,
Robert Ryman and others. With this genre of art, there is
no attempt to create outside meaning by the idea is for
the simplicity to be meaningful to the consumer at face
value. “The development of minimalism is linked to that of
conceptual art (which also flourished in the 1960s and
1970s). Both movements challenged the existing
structures for making, disseminating and viewing art and
argued that the importance given to the art object is
misplaced and leads to a rigid and elitist art world which
only the privileged few can afford to enjoy” (Source
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/minimalism)
7. Minimalism
This use of minimalism from Led Zeppelin creates a
powerful image. By opting for simplicity, even by
reducing the typography on the image. This image is
similar to that used by Led Zeppelin in their debut
album. The movement supported the bands meteoric
rise and they shared the idea of moving away from
the norm. The fact is was created in opposition to
another art form shows the diversity and creative
freedom which art allows. In regards to negative
spaces, they are embraced and used to place
importance onto the prominent subject in the
foreground of the image. In this image, the flower is
the focal point for the audience. Minimalism can be
seen as purifying art and representing symbolising
beauty, simplicity and order. Minimalism could lend
itself useful to my print productions due to the
symbolism it creates. For my song, one in which love
and loss are key themes, this could be a beneficial to
my productions.
8. Pop Art
Pop Art was created in the 1950’s but really came to
prominence in the 1960’s. It took inspiration from cultural
and commercial influences from a range of countries and
cultures to form this progressive new style of art. It was
inherited as a form of revolt against dominant art as
younger artists felt that there was no correlation between
the artwork in museums and lessons being taught in art
schools to the way they wished to create art. The use of
vibrant primary colours reinforces this youthful and
inclusive feel to the style. However, the style varied in
Britain and America. British pop art was influenced heavily
by that of America’s, however, American pop art was a
return to visual art, something which was instantly
recognisable. It was still a rebellion to the abstract
expressionism which was in its heyday prior to the
creation of pop art. Instead of freedom in regards to
shapes, pop art returned to hard edges and straight lines.
British pop art was often used ironically for parody and is
regarded as the precursor to British pop art movement.
The progenitors of the genre include Andy Warhol, Roy
Lichtenstein and Keith Haring.
9. Pop Art
Mika opted to embody pop art for his album cover for the
his album ‘Life in a Cartoon Dream’. Pop’s art use of
colour and creativity reflects Mika as an artist and his fans
will know him as somebody quite eccentric and quirky.
Furthermore, the use of pop art creates a connection with
the title of the album as it is designed with a ‘cartoon’
theme. The typography is bold and prominent and sans
serif but has a 3D design to it and the white fill to the text
which helps it stand out against a colourful background.
The negative space is limited and is filled with colour and
simple subjects such as a man on a sofa, a piano etc.
Mika is presenting an ideological view on what life could
be like in a cartoon world. Mika’s constructed audience
would be stereotypically younger and this is a sense of
brand identity by appealing to young people’s admiration
with bright, vibrant primary colours. Pop art would be good
to use for my print productions to appeal to a younger
audience, however, this could contrast with the downbeat
tone of the song which can be argued positively and
negatively. Overall, this style is less sophiscated and could
make my print productions appear amateurish and tacky.
