MODIFIED COVERS
Hajnal Németh, modified covers “Tears” and “Peace Versions”, 2016, photo series, modified LP cover reproductions
Exhibition view: “White Song”, EBENSPERGER, Berlin, 2016
Photo by Sebastian Hoffmann
The series, featuring oversized photographic reproductions of LP covers, are based on a special selection of albums. The reproductions of these musically, cultural historically or visually emblematic albums have been subject to minimal yet substantial modifications. In some cases the camera lens has been set extremely blurred, in others the angle of view has been focused on details of printing raster, or the reproduction of the entire cover has been recoloured or inverted.
Abstract from the interview by Helene Romakin with Hajnal Németh:
HR: Sex Pistols were symbols of the protest of the labouring class against the establishment. As you mentioned before you discuss the aspects of work in capitalist societies in several of your works such as “Work Song – As Time Goes By” (2016), “Work Song” (2014), and “The Loser” (2013/15). In all works you talk about the individuals, who are affected in their social life by economic structures. Why do you always come back to this topic?
HN: The way economic structures are treating the life of individuals is cynical, non-compassionate and unfair. From global economical aspects the individual life is being ignored and this attitude is controversial, because of course behind the global economical interests there are individuals. I have always been interested in highlighting contradictions.
HR: Another photo series of four photographs is the work “Peace Versions” that shows an innocently looking cloud – always the same image but with modified colours in blue, grey, red and yellow …
HN: … All motifs are reproductions of LP covers that again I modified minimally. The motif of “Peace Versions” is taken from the album “Live Peace in Toronto“ by The Plastic Ono Band, recorded at the “Toronto Rock and Roll Revival“ festival in 1969. The colour of the original cover is naturally a beautiful sky-blue. While varying the colours of the cover’ image I raised the question if peace could have different versions at all. While the sky can be other than blue, I would say peace is peace, I don’t think it can have different colours, so different versions.”
Hajnal Németh, “Tears”, 2016, photo series, modified LP cover reproductions, 100 x 100 cm
Exhibition view: “White Song”, EBENSPERGER, Berlin, 2016
Photo by Sebastian Hoffmann
Hajnal Németh, “Inverted Heroes”, 2016, photo series, modified LP cover reproductions, 50 x 100 cm
Exhibition view: “White Song”, EBENSPERGER, Berlin, 2016
Photo by Sebastian Hoffmann
Hajnal Németh, “Dog Slave the Queen”, 2016, photo, modified LP cover reproduction, 60 x 60 cm
Exhibition view: “White Song”, EBENSPERGER, Berlin, 2016
Photo by Sebastian Hoffmann
Hajnal Németh, “Peace Versions”, 2016
Photo series, 4 pieces of 50 x 50 cm, fine art print mounted on aluminium, in wooden frame
Modified LP cover image in four versions: modified and oversized photographic reproductions of the cover of the album “Live Peace in Toronto” by The Plastic Ono Band, 1969
Hajnal Németh, “Tears”, 2016
Photo series, 4 pieces of 50 x 50 cm, fine art print mounted on aluminium, in wooden frame
Modified LP cover image in four pieces: modified and oversized photographic reproductions of the cover of the album “As Tears Go By” by Marianne Faithfull, 1964
Hajnal Németh, “Inverted Heroes”, 2016
Photo series, 2 pieces of 50 x 50 cm, fine art print mounted on aluminium, in wooden frame
Modified LP cover image in two versions: modified and oversized photographic reproductions of the cover of the album “Heroes” by Nico, 1986
Hajnal Németh, “Dog Slave the Queen”, 2016
Photo, 60 x 60 cm, fine art print mounted on aluminium, in wooden frame
Modified LP cover image: modified (extremely blurred) and oversized photographic reproduction of the cover of the album “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” by Sex Pistols, 1977