The packaging that accompanies the works of some of the most iconic names in Canadian music should be viewed as much more than protective casing according to archivists working with the EMI Music Canada archive.
Robb Gilbert and Jason Nisenson are the curators of ‘To The Edge: Cover Art’ a presentation of original artwork and recreations of record sleeves, cassette case inserts and printed works that were placed in the jewel cases of compact discs.
“What we’re displaying is how the album artwork was put together and key pieces that rally look beautiful as works of art,” explained Gilbert. “It helps me to appreciate the music even more by getting a perspective into what happened during the photo shoots (and) what were the options for the covers that weren’t used.”
The creators of the exhibit had no shortage of material to pull from given their access to the EMI Music Canada collection that is being preserved at the University of Calgary. The preservation effort of the country’s largest music archive is being funded by a $2 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Nisenson says viewing the pieces in To The Edge offers a ‘profound and powerful experience’ with a feature that has become an afterthought in the era of digital downloads.
“There’s something sad and lost about the art that you see on display here,” explained Nisenson. “I have iconic albums in my memory where I associate the visual part of the experience with the acoustic.”
To The Edge will remain available to the public for viewings on the fifth floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library on the University of Calgary campus until April 30, 2018.
For additional details regarding the collection visit University of Calgary – To The Edge: Cover Art
With files from CTV’s Stephanie Wiebe
