314x314 Exhibition
07-08-09

Currently I'm organising a charity design exhibition which is bringing together some of the music industry's most influential graphic designers, illustrators, photographers and artists of the past 30 years. They will pay homage to the art form that is the 12" record sleeve now seemingly in decline as the digital age is upon us. Upcoming creatives will also be invited to contribute as they will form the basis of music influenced design in this new era, and help shape the future of visual creativity which in the past has drawn heavily on this unique art form.

I'm asking artists to design an original piece of front cover artwork using one of the following briefs:

•    Re-design a classic sleeve of a favourite band which has influenced you in some way or one which you feel could have been designed differently.

•    Re-design a sleeve which you have previously worked on but was executed differently because the band or record company influenced the final design.

•    Design an original sleeve for a new or existing artist or band.

After the event, a book will be published incorporating all the artwork and will include interviews with designers who will share stories about their creations, the history behind some of their previous creations and thoughts on the future of music related design. It will also include a CD of music that is related to the 314x314 project.

For the last 50 years, the record sleeve has been the catalyst of many an aspiring artist, designer or photographer pursuing their creative careers. From purchasing the 12" record, taking it home, putting it on the turntable and perusing every last inch of the sleeve whilst listening intently to every note and lyric exuding from the speakers, this has been the routine for many a teenagers life over the years.

For many, their introduction to art is the sleeve of their first record purchase because it is easily accessible and indentifiable. Even today, people still talk about albums that influenced their lives and in the same sentence mention the artwork which accompanied the music, whether it's 'Sgt Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band', 'Dark Side Of The Moon' or 'Blue Monday'.  Unfortunately with today's music, the advent of digital downloads and corporate wholesale attitude of the industry, it has somewhat anaesthetised the art of the record sleeve and the creative process unless the music artist has been intrinsically involved with the process.

This exhibition will aim to bring back the power to the creative, free from outside influence and constraint and hopefully let the public see what is achievable when the some of the best innovative minds are able to express themselves through this work.

Hopefully this will also encourage young designers and musicians to understand the important relationship between vision and sound, and the effect it has on young peoples lives. For this very reason, 314x314 hopes to bring awareness to the dangers of drug and alcohol dependency which has been prevalent within the music industry for decades. How this will be achieved is by auctioning the original artworks submitted and the proceeds given to charities who help young people with these problems and educate impressionable teenagers through mentorship and music industry support.

ROAD RECOVERY is dedicated to helping young people battle addiction and other adversities by harnessing the influence of entertainment industry professionals who have confronted similar crises and now wish to share their experience and knowledge.

With support from the mental health field, ROAD RECOVERY provides hands-on mentorship training, educational/performance workshops, peer-support networking, and “all access” to real-life opportunities by collaborating with young people to create and present live-concert events.

ROAD RECOVERY empowers young people of all backgrounds to face their struggles and helps them develop comprehensive life skills, guided by professionals and supported by a community of like-minded peers.

Once all the artwork has been submitted, a six week exhibition will take place the Notting Hill Arts Club starting in November afterwhich all the work produced will be auctioned and the proceeds go to the mentioned charities.

Check out the gallery so far at www.314x314.com

Mark