Thomas Allen Lecture

Last night I saw Thomas Allen give a presentation of his work leading up to his newly released book, Uncovered, designed by Chip Kidd, at the Aperture Gallery.

It's easy to look at pulp covers as kitsch and yet Allen clearly shows a love for the art and the story-telling abilities of illustration. His work is witty without mocking the artwork as he cuts and folds them into new stories and experiences.

Between Allen’s work, Red Nose, and others like them, I have come to realize that I really like to see the seams. In an era where I assume everything is digitally enhanced, it's nice to see the faint outlines and tiny nicks from Allen’s knife. And all of the creases and frayed edges of the actual books is a great contrast to his meticulous lighting and sparse compositions.

While there I ran into Charles Ardai, publisher of Hard Case Crime, which made perfect sense given the great homage to pulp art that their covers are.

And if you wanna see something really cool, check out this Francis Ford Coppola sponsored magazine, Zoetrope All-Story, guest designed by Chip Kidd. At the lecture Kidd explained that he was asked to do the project pro bono and decided to use only Allen’s work throughout without asking him to create new work, since there was no budget and little time. The result looks stunning.

PICTURES:
Allen and Kidd, "Fathom", spread from Zoetrope All-Story

Thomas Allen, Uncovered

I quickly mentioned photographer Thomas Allen a while back, here and here. Via American Illustration, I see that Allen will be talking about his upcoming book, Uncovered, with Chip Kidd. The best part, it’s just down the block from me!

Uncovered
Thomas Allen
Tuesday, October 16, 6:30 pm
Using the covers of pulp fiction books, Thomas Allen constructs wildly imaginative scenes, reinterpreting the books' lead characters. Allen will be in conversation with Chip Kidd, the internationally renowned graphic designer and author of the foreword to Uncovered.
Aperture Gallery
547 West 27th St., 4th Fl, New York, NY

More BookArt Art from Thomas Allen

Thomas Allen, a photographer that takes old art and turns it into new art, will have an exhibit opening up in New York's Foley Gallery on January 11th. All works will be about lust and desire..

[Earlier post on Thomas Allen]

BookArt Art

Photographer Thomas Allen

These are fantastic!

(via Covers)