Alternative Press Covers from the last 25 years.
Photos by Kathleen Gasperini and Tom Wallace
Story by Kathleen Gasperini
It was an event that will make Rolling Stone jealous. On July 9th, the doors opened to the Merry Karnowsky Gallery featuring Alternative Press Magazine’s 25th Anniversary and a prestigious group art exhibition with works ranging from Marilyn Manson to Adam Jones from Tool to knitted sculpture from Shirley Manson from Garbage. What most people may not realize is that many musicians -especially it appears, the ones covered by AP Magazine over the years, are also artists in some way or another.
Marilyn Manson %uFFFDs own Baby%uFFFDs on Fire. This is the most expensive piece at the show, and a beautiful watercolor.
The exhibit–open through July 24–also showcases original work by artists and musicians, including: GERARD WAY (My Chemical Romance), TIM ARMSTRONG (Rancid), CAMILLE ROSE GARCIA (The Real Minks), MATT SKIBA (Alkaline Trio), PETE WENTZ (Fall Out Boy), DEREK HESS, TARA MCPHERSON, JOHN BALDWIN GOURLEY (Portugal. The Man) with AUSTIN SELLERS, MATT “PORTLAND” HAY (Nora), TRAVIE MCCOY(Gym Class Heroes), COLIN FRANGICETTO (Circa Survive), SHAWN HARRIS (Maniac), ANTHONY GREEN (Circa Survive), ANDY “THE BUTCHER” MROTEK (The Academy Is…), JORDAN BUCKLEY (Every Time I Die) and more.
While the art exhibition is amazing in and of itself, it’s the context in terms of its association with AP and how it started as essentially a local music newspaper in June, 1985 in Cleveland. In a separate room were the various magazine covers of AP with a range of top stars such as Nirvana all the way to 3OH!3 today. Reflecting on their 25-year history where beautifully frame first editions of the original AP magazines, plus Letters to the Editor from people like Henry Rollins, and an entire sculptural exhibit displaying various ephemeral keepsakes from back in the day -stickers, pins, patches, notes, flyers, guestbooks, and record album covers.
Alternative Press staff, founders, and people who should be quite proud of this exhibition–25th Anniversary–major accomplishment.
Overall, the 25th Anniversary party and month-long art exhibition by AP and contributing musicians is a showcase of the tenacity of a magazine and its editors and contributors, and the power of music, that together created an entire culture and on-going following of youth today.
Camille Rose Garcia%uFFFDs “Head%uFFFDs Full of Messy Zombies.”
AP has covered them all–including Nirvana.
Shepard Fairey was on-site. His collection featured artwork album covers. This work is called Velvet Tone.
PJ Harvey image by Sean Murphy.
Historical images of musicians, punks, rockers, headbangers, make this exhibition a worthy walk down music history lane.
Ephemeral like Henry Rollins letter to AP is epic.
Shirley Manson from Garbage was the only one with the crafty knitting sculpture and it stood out. Literally, this piece protrudes off the wall and is unique.
Tom Armstrong from Rancid%uFFFDs collages and artwork are keepsakes.
Eyes of Dead Ophelia by Liz McGrath (Miss Derringer) attracted loads of attention.
