Discover, explore and appreciate the stories and creators behind iconic album cover art.
The Art of Music Experience
Album cover art has long been acknowledged as an important part of the culture of music, but unlike the music, the art has rarely enjoyed its own time in the spotlight.
The Art of Music Experience reveals the creators and stories behind album cover art, highlighting illustrators, painters, photographers, art directors, graphic designers, musician's and the influence of their vision and ability to communicate the music's energy, the artist's brand, likeness, image and symbolism. The traveling exhibit features large-scale, handpainted album covers, displays and neon from The Art of Music Collection, themed educational exhibits, live painting, fan activations and a record store pop-up.
The Art of Music Collection
The Art of Music Collection of art boards, displays and neon adorned rooftops and storefronts in Los Angeles from 1981-2004, a halcyon and heady era for music and art. These large-scale reproductions were created by Art & Sign Productions.
Each display and unique installations were hand-painted by artists and designed to accommodate a specific location - a store window or a rooftop display - to instantly catch the eye and identify, or sometimes merely hint at, the musical creator. Are they art? Are they advertising? Yes.
Commissioned by record companies to promote new releases by top or promising new artists, these art boards were displayed at iconic destinations throughout Hollywood, including record stores, clubs and record companies.
The Art of Music collection and its artisans have left a lasting legacy through the preservation of these hand-painted album covers and displays. The Art of Music Experience celebrates this legacy, Art & Sign founder Chris Ghantous, and invites visitors to explore the process and story. behind these historic works of art.
Stories & Creators
Album cover art has long been acknowledged as an important part of the culture of music, but unlike the music, the art has rarely enjoyed its own time in the spotlight.
The Art of Music Experience reveals the identities - and secrets - of painters, illustrators, photographers, art directors, graphic designers, musician's and the influence of their vision and ability to communicate the music's energy, the artist's brand, likeness, image and symbolism.
Maybe an LP cover started as art for art's sake, and a band felt it represented their music perfectly. Or maybe the songs inspired a painter, photographer or band member to create a visual companion to the music. It's a symbiotic process where the two parts create a greater whole.
