Get Involved blog

Whether from rapacious property developers or the internet, the independent record shops of London’s Soho are under threat. Barely a month goes by without another one disappearing. Designer Ali Augur and photographer Spencer Murphy decided to document these musical treasure troves and their owners before they become a distant memory. Their exhibition, Independent: A Celebration of Soho’s Independent Record Shops runs from 16 – 24 May at 63 Broadwick Street, London W1. To see more images and find out more about the project check the piece (from which the above is extracted) featured on the Creative Review blog.

Mancunian design trio Central Station were responsible for creating some of the boldest and most memorable record sleeves of the 80s and 90s. Just as The Happy Mondays’ attitude and stage presence (not to mention the opening of The Haçienda, and the arrival of acid house and Ecstacy) heralded the arrival of a new chapter in Britain’s musical history, so Central Station’s legacy of colourful and energetic record sleeve designs for various Factory Records acts documents a simultaneous shift in graphic approach to music packaging. After studying design, the studio basically stuck two fingers up at Swiss minimalism and formal typography in favour of finding their own unique voice – one that was relevant to – and inspired by – the music…

A new exhibition of their work, entitled Faç Off, opens this Friday at Richard Goodall Gallery in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. It will showcase much of the trio’s now iconic work for the likes of Happy Mondays, James and Black Grape – as well as a selection of non-commercially produced paintings and prints.

Faç Off is not only the title of Central Station’s forthcoming exhibition – it is a graphic they conjured up for a promotional T-shirt for Factory back in 1990. “I remember Tony[Wilson]’s reaction when he asked what we’d come up with,” says Central Station’s Karen Jackson. “We showed him, he looked at it and said, ‘Fac off. Brilliant!’”

To see more images and read a full profile on the studio, check out the piece in the May issue of Creative Review magazine or read it online on the Creative Review blog.

Faç Off runs from 16 May to 21 June at Richard Goodall Gallery, Manchester. Limited edition screenprints will be available from richardgoodallgallery.com

James Joyce, of studio One Fine Day, designed the very first Get Involved poster. In fact, he’s designed several for us along the way and is one of our favourite image-makers in the whole world.

There’s a fantastic exhibition (his first solo gallery show) of his work up at the moment in London’s Kemistry Gallery that’s well worth a visit. A selection of wonderful limited edition signed and numbered prints are available to buy too. While stocks last!

See Creative Review blog for a more detailed post with more images.

Drawings And Other Objects is running until 14 June at London’s Kemistry Gallery, 43 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3PD. +44 (0)20 7749 2766

Photo courtesy of Motown Record Archives

The Supremes recorded 12 US Number one hits between 1964 and 1969, including an unprecedented five consecutive chart-toppers. Amazing. Also amazing is the collection of their performance costumes which is set to go on display at the V&A in London later this month…

Photo courtesy of Motown Record Archives

On show will be over 50 outfits that chart the changing image of the group from their dresses in the early days (when they were known as The Primettes) to the glamorous Hollywood designs they wore at the height of their success. Set against the backdrop of the meteoric rise of Motown Records - and the turbulence of the American civil rights movement - the display (which will include actual costumes, photographs, magazine spreads and film footage of TV appearances) will explore the inspirational role The Supremes played in changing racial perceptions and their influence on today’s performers.

As the 50th anniversary of Motown Records approaches in 2009, the exhibition will also look at the record label’s history - from lowly beginnings in Detroit to the most successful black owned business in the country. On display will be a reconstruction of the mixing desk from the famous Recording Studio A at Motown’s head quarters, ‘Hitsville USA’. Nice!

The Story of The Supremes from the Mary Wilson Collection runs 13 May – 19 October 2008 at the V&A Museum in London.