'art place berlin': Michael A. Russ' Cover Art for Tom Waits' 'Swordfishtrombones'

A new highlight in the current permanent exhibition ‘ART based on PHOTOGRAPHY’ at ‘art place berlin’ (until October 31st) is an original TinTone artwork by the American artist Michael A. Russ. It shows the motive of his cover photo for Tom Waits groundbreaking music album ‘Swordfishtrombones’ from the year 1983. It is currently on display in the exhibition next to Tom Waits portrait by Michael Russ. He has created both works with the TinTone process, which is also developed by him.

Resulting from Michael A. Russ' typical black / white photos, the final work is created only through a variety of creative and technical intermediate stages of work. Michael Russ' TinTones contain just about the entire spectrum of photographic technology from the invention of photography in form of Photograms through masking and solarization of chemically toned - one of a kind - silver gelatin prints. At the Park Inn Berlin-Alexanderplatz shows the exhibition of ‘art place berlin’ two copies of large-format TinTones (Alu-Dibond Silver-Industrial-ThyssenKrupp, about 150 x 100cm).

These artworks react to light and movement of the beholder in a very impressive manner. From each altered position also a new perception results and therefore leads to an interaction between artwork and observer. With his TinTones Michael A. Russ creates expressive, inspiring images, complex both in idea and in visualization.

The exhibition of the works refer to Tom Waits "Swordfishtrombones" recordings in Hollywood Sunset Sound, August 1982, exactly 30 years ago. Published in 1983 by Island Records, it has still influenced and inspired many musicians, like almost no other.

Tom Waits hired Michael Russ, after he had seen his exhibition, "Prussian Blue" in L.A. In the early 1980's Michael displayed in Los Angeles avant-guardistic positions in photography as an artist. With the cover Michael Russ should give Tom Waits' new musical input a fresh look.
Tom Waits and Michael Russ casted numerous actors for the cover shoot. Finally, he chose Lee Kolima, a Hollywood actor of gigantic stature and the diminutive Angelo Rossitto, who was one of the busiest actors in Hollywood and has appeared in over 80 films. With the two actors alongside Tom Waits, Michael A. Russ created the legendary photo shoot for the cover of the groundbreaking music album 'Swordfishtrombones' in 1983.

Michael was also the associate director and choreographer on the MTV music video for the song 'In the Neighbourhood' from that album. The video grew out of the album cover; it was centered around Lee Kolima and Angelo Rossitto. The cinematographer of the video was the famous Haskell Wexler. He is a multiple Oscar awardee and has worked on films like, 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?', 'One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest', 'In the Heat of the Night', 'American Graffiti', 'Coming Home' and many more.

Now, 30 years later, Michael A. Russ opened his archives and has selected important works for the 'Swordfishtrombones-Cover Gallery' with the eye of an experienced artist. These fine art print editions give enthusiasts a wonderful chance to get authentic works that combine music, visual art and history.

For more information visit:
http://www.art-place-berlin.com/
http://www.swordfishtrombones-cover-art-gallery.com
http://www.swordfishtrombones-cover-art-gallery.com/about.html
http://www.swordfishtrombones-cover-art-gallery.com/portrait.html

'art place berlin' is the forum for contemporary art and intercultural projects, located at the Park Inn Berlin-Alexanderplatz. Monthly more than 30.000 guests and visitors from all over the world will experience an encounter with current international art. The exhibitions show mainly painting, graphic, photography and works on paper and are open to the public daily from 9am to 10pm with free entry for the exhibition areas on the ground floor and at the first floor. The Park Inn Alexanderplatz can be reached easily due to ideal access to public transportation.

art place berlin - forum for contemporary art
Thomas Tyllack
Alexanderplatz 7
D-10178 Berlin
contact@art-place-berlin.com
55 66 99 56
http://www.art-place-berlin.com

This release was published on openPR.