Records are popping up everywhere – even the MoMA! This piece by Jonathan Monk is part of a current exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Monk has matched a series of 12 album covers by The Smiths with a series of watercolor and pencil works on paper. Working within the realm of Conceptualism he places emphasis on ideas rather than aesthetic appeal.

Hmmm,,, the How Soon Is Now? record sleeve was rather appealing. I’ve heard the song a million times, but this was the first time I’ve seen the original album cover. Stop me if you think I’m not allowed to touch it.

Steve Wolfe meticulously re-creates everyday objects such as book covers and vinyl records to investigate the intersections among material culture, intellectual history, and personal and collective memory. Wolfe works in the tradition of trompe l’oeil and his pieces literally fool the eye on first inspection.

The “Steve Wolfe On Paper” exhibit at the Anne & Joel Ehrenkranz Gallery at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City in November included several record sleeves and records in the show. The vinyl records appear genuine but these are objects made from modeling paste. Wolfe has gone so far as to leave a few fingerprints on the grooves and a few well placed scratches. They look like my records!

If you missed his show you can check out his work in the Steve Wolfe on Paper book from the Whitney Museum of American Art (Hardcover):

Vinyl records do seem to be back. They’re popping up everywhere! So far this year vinyl record sales have increased more than 35 percent, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Apparently the iPod generation is fueling the resurgence. A younger, new-to-vinyl audience has discovered vinyl records sound better than digital files.

The full article may be found here: Vinyl Records and Turntables Are Gaining Sales

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