Creativity in Motion, Artist Profiles.... Hipgnosis

     This is the first in a series of Artist Profiles, putting the
spotlight on artists, no matter the medium, past and present.
Some are known more than others but the one thing they all
have in common was the ability to put their ideas and turn
them into reality. Expressing what was inside them to share
with the rest of the world. Ideas are the spark, but daily
Massive Action is where the work truly begins!


    Today's post is not on one individual but on a British art
design group known as Hipgnosis. Specializing in creating
cover art for albums of rock musicians and bands. Hipgnosis
was primarily the brainchild of Storm Thorgerson, Aubrey Powell
and much later Peter Christopherson. The actual name of 
Hipgnosis was discovered as graffiti on their apartment door
with it's contradiction of 'Hip"= New and Cool and "Gnosis"
or 'Gnostic"= Ancient learning.

     


    Their style of Album design was strongly photography
orientated, and they pioneered the use of many innovative
visual and packaging techniques. In particular Thorgerson's 
and Powell's surreal and highly manipulated photos. Utilizing 
darkroom tricks, multiple exposures, airbrush retouching and
mechanical cut and paste techniques. They were the forerunners
of what would be later called Photoshopping. 

     Hipgnosis's trademark was often tying in with the lyrics of the album. Their most famous designs was for Pink Floyd with their
album The Dark Side of the Moon. The album itself was a huge
success it became one of the biggest selling and longest charting
albums of all time. Being hailed as one of the best album covers
of all time. After that they were in high demand working for
Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Who and many many more.
















     Another trademark was their use of high tech pen and ink 
logo's and stickers gatefold covers and fancy inner sleeves. One
of which is highlighted by Led Zeppelins In through the out door
album. Which was mostly Black and White but when dampened
with water would turn to color!

 

 

    Sadly this is an artform that is now primarily lost but lives on

in other ways. Hipgnosis work will never be forgotten much like

the music their artwork covered. Storm Thorgerson continues

doing artwork for bands to this day.

    Art in any shape or form starts with an idea. Knowing of this

is not enough. To express yourself , to share your ideas, your 

labor of love takes massive action. That is a gift you give to

yourself and to others. And that is Creativity in Motion!

Thanks for stopping by and remember to keep

Living out louder!

D.V

P.S

Some more covers below!