COVER STORY: PETER GABRIEL
For Peter Gabriel’s 1980 disc, the typically self-effacing artist (Sledgehammer video, anyone?) used for the cover art a doctored image that eerily conveyed his dream-influenced music – and remains an advertisement for the dying art of Polaroids.
Catchy Title
For his third post-Genesis solo LP, Gabriel used only his name (in the same typeface, no less) for the album’s title – the same minimalist marketing strategy employed for records #1 and #2. Gabriel wanted the records to be viewed like issues of the same magazine. Fans, however, typically refer to these very different efforts according to the cover art. Number one is called “Car,” number two “Scratch,” and number three “Melt.” On his fourth record, Gabriel’s U.S. record company insisted that a title (“Security”) accompany the artists name on the sleeve.
Red Rain, Melting Brain
Gabriel was a fan of designer Hipgnosis, and asked him to develop a cover art concept. Hipgnosis came up with the idea for the dripping, melting face based on a dream he had. Gabriel, a huge proponent of the power of dreams, eagerly signed off on the idea. Later Gabriel songs like “Red Rain” and “Digging in the Dirt,” as well as bits of his videos, would be based on the artist’s own dreams.
Proto-photoshop
The effect of the melting face, as well as the other ghostly images on the sleeve, was achieved by manipulating chemicals between two layers of a Polaroid. By applying pressure to the image via blunt instrument, Hipgnosis could blur the edges of Gabriel’s face and add painterly detail. The original Polaroid was actually color, but was then re-photographed in black and white. Hipgnosis called these images “Krimsographs” in a nod to Les Krims. (Paul Maxon was also involved in the finished product.) Hipgnosis added spooky details like shoes (look closely at Gabriel’s left eye) after determining the background to be too dull. The lines behind Gabriel’s head are from the stairs in Hipgnosis’ studio, and provide a visual contrast.
Polaroids going out of print?
After sixty years, Polaroid announced in Februrary 2008 that instant film will no longer be produced after this year. Last chance to make your own “krimsographs.”
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Mark Holman says
This is one of my most precious albums as I think Peter Gabriel is a fantastic singer/songwriter. Games without Frontiers, Red Rain, Biko, Shock the Monkey, San Juacinto, etc are timeless songs almost no one has heard of except for nerds like me. But why sell out when you have so many interesting stories to tell?Wormajor says
long live art!Rock Out! ---B
The Sonic Messiah says
That's an awesome album cover.