(fax) FAX art - do we need nudes to sell this ambient magic?

[Christian von Ompteda]

I hate to jump in on such a controversial topic - or not.

Whether or not this is a woman or not, to me, is not the issue. The 
issue is about whether or not this is quality cover art for a new FAX 
release. After the AW release of Air 4, and the continuing 
trivialization of FAX cover art, I have to ask myself what the point is. 
Yeah, great, muscular woman, muscular man, whatever - the point that 
gets me is that there's something semi-naked on the cover of my next FAX 
release that frankly doesn't appeal to me aesthetically no matter what 
sex he/she is.

Call me a traditionallist (and you may well), but I like my artwork with 
the type of designs we've seen in the past - something obscure - 
something mysterious. Sublabel releases with the circle with something 
random in it - PK or PW releases with a picture that at least relates to 
the music or at least makes some sort of sense. Naked chicks and 
multiculour backings on sublabel releases, well, maybe I'm just too 
staid, but I can't say that I'm enjoying it - Hell, I can't say that I 
enjoyed the move from any of the circular pictures to the full covers 
period.

The point of Namlook's philosophy was to give us something that we would 
understand and tie to the releases - colour coded CD backs, codified 
covers and styles that would define what he does and what FAX is. Do I 
want something naked on my FAX cover art - well, not really. It cheapens 
the seemingly esoteric art of the label and removes the strength of what 
I consider to be a label that doesn't need slinky artwork to sell it's 
quality. I'm already sold - don't creep me out with some cheap nudie shots.

Andre - I have seen your site and recognize that you are both an artist 
and a design talent - please recognize that talent doesn't mean haven't 
to put your own stamp on a brand that has already sold it's strongest 
followers - and also please understand that snapping at us and providing 
a big "f*ck off" to some of the strongest supporters of the FAX label 
whether it's Mark, Trevor or anyone else is not only insulting, but 
childish. Don't let your pride about your art interfere with our 
enjoyment - most of us have been collecting this longer than you have 
been providing artwork for Namlook.

That said, I'll still buy a copy of this release - even if only because 
I'm on a FAX subscription service - simply because it's Namlook. I guess 
I must have just missed the point that the covers now need to be edgy 
enough to attract us to buying the music - I thought that the music 
itself already did that? Of course - if the next FAX CD is total shite, 
I'll understand why Andre had to put a nude on it, but somehow, just 
somehow, I really expect more from Namlook than that.

cheers,
Christian.

Andre Ruello wrote:

> hey,
> this is the internet,
> you posted your thoughts about my art, im posting my thoughts about 
> you. thats how it works.
>
> you admit you gave the art a simple  "first glance" from the PDF then 
> decided to share your insights with the list..
>
> i read your post and now here are my insights... you're a dickhead.... .
>
> i dont speak with any authority here. its not my list, or namlooks.. 
> its totally independant.. so if i want to call you a dickhead or a 
> fool or whatever. then i will..
>
> if i get banned for off topic, offensive mail. so be it.
>
> while i may insult you with my texts. you insult me with your ignorance.
>
>
>
>
> On 21/03/2005, at 08:20, Andre Ruello wrote:
>
>>
>> On 21/03/2005, at 02:22, Organicnavel at aol.com wrote:
>>
>>> I'm sorry, but insulting list members is not acceptable. I doesn't 
>>> matter if you happen to be the the "Fax cover artist" or not.
>>> At first glance, which is about all I gave the "pdf", I have to 
>>> admit that I thought it was a guy, not that it matters either way.
>>> Andre, you happened to insult a pro-active member of this list who I 
>>> think is or is close to being a completist. In other words he is one 
>>> of a small group of people [1000-2000] that keep you in work at Fax.
>>
>>
>> keep me in work at fax? do you have Any idea about what you're 
>> talking about at all? do you know anything at all about the label and 
>> how it is run? i dont think so.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Thank you for pointing out that the person on the Koolfang 3 cover 
>>> is a woman, but please keep your insults to yourself.
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> + sansserifgrafik
> ----------------------
> w. www.sansserifgrafik.com
> e. andre at sansserifgrafik.com
> f. +61 414 611 635
>
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