Vinyl Revisionists
Frank Zappa Chunga’s Revenge (1970), Reinterpreted by Tim Biskup (2012)
Vinyl Revisionists, features such local Los Angeles-based talent as Tim Biskup, Sylvia Ji, and Victor Castillo, as well as street artists RISK and Josh Petker, who will each revisit and reinterpret the covers of their favorite Warner Bros. Records artists’ albums. Curated by Justin Van Hoy, the work spans the rich 50-year musical history of the iconic label and will feature imaginative interpretations of covers of albums by WBR artists past and present, including Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimi Hendrix, Madonna, Prince, Frank Zappa, Van Halen, Roxy Music, The Smiths, and Mastodon, among others.
One reason the artists wanted to get involved is that they liked the idea of showing their work in a unique space; many of these artists are either street artists or people accustomed to showing in galleries. Our office is a living, breathing testament to the cultural history of the music industry and that appealed to them. – WBR’s SVP of Creative Services Norman Wonderly
“Art and music are inextricably entwined, so I love the idea of having visual art showcased throughout the Warner Bros. Records offices,” says WBR CEO Todd Moscowitz, an art lover whose office was designed by noted street artist Mr. Brainwash and contains two of his installations. Mr. Brainwash also designed the cover art for Madonna’s Celebration album as well as promotional artwork for the Red Hot Chili Peppers album I’m With You. A replica of the WBR shield created by him is mounted in the WBR office lobby.
Warner Bros. Records’ distinct bungalow building was designed in 1975 by noted architect A. Quincy Jones, who will be showcased in an upcoming exhibit at the Hammer Museum, as well as the subject of a retrospective book next year.
The WBR shows will not be open to the public, but the work will be featured online so that everyone can enjoy it. Each piece will be for sale, with all proceeds going to the non-profit organization Hollywood Arts, which seeks to help L.A.-based homeless and at-risk young adults transition to lives of self-sufficiency by utilizing arts-based curriculum, mentorships, and professional internships and classes in performing, visual, and urban arts.
I’m a huge FranK Zappa fan, so I really like the reinterpretation of the Chungs’s Revenge album.
Yes! It will be interesting and fun to see what new creative works they come up with. Thank you! 🙂