recordsreimagined
In recent years, as CD sales have slowed to make way for the digital format, the vinyl album has been making a comeback. In addition to renewing an appreciation for the quality of sound that is often compromised with digital formatting, the renaissance has emphasized the nostalgia of album art, which digital downloading has all but positioned as incidental, an unimportant garnish that can be easily discarded. To celebrate the renewed love of the vinyl aesthetic, venerable Lexington music shop CD Central is organizing an event dubbed “Records Reimagined” on June 8, with over 25 central Kentucky artists – including Blake Eames, J.T. Dockery, John Lackey, Christine Kuhm and others – creating new interpretations of album art to be displayed around the record store, gallery style.
CD Central owner and event organizer Steve Baron said the event was modeled after a simliar event he saw at Cincinnati record shop Shake-It Records.
“I thought it was so interesting and fun, and I always wanted to do something similar here in Lexington,” Baron said.
More than a celebration of album art, the event is a celebration of fine artists from central Kentucky. Baron says the artists represented are diverse in their approaches and styles.
“We’ve got people who you would consider more traditional artists, and then we have graphic designers who do illustration work, people who draw for comics, then we have a couple of people who would be considered street artists,” Baron said.
For CD Central, the “Records Reimagined” show is merely the tip of the iceberg for organizing store events that showcase community artists and elevate the establishment above a mere place of business.
“Obviously, we’re a record store, so we’ve done a lot of concerts and that type of thing, but I’ve always thought that as a locally owned, independent store, that we should be more than just a place to come in and buy a record and leave,” Baron said. “It should be more of an experience, and supporting the local arts scene and local culture is really important for us.”
It might seem strange and unorthodox to have a gallery show in a record store, but Baron says that’s what makes the event noteworthy. “It’s about bringing art to the people in a non-traditional way. ... I feel we can bring the experience of art in a gallery setting to people who might not normally go to that type of event.”
To squash any apprehensions or preconceived notions that some of his more loyal “music junkie” customers might have about the concept of a gallery opening, Baron assures would-be attendees that “this is going to be a very fun show. There isn’t going to be any pretense at all about it, but it’s going to be a good, quality show.”
As for the newfound love of vinyl, Baron asserts that there is no one reason.
“The whole vinyl resurgence, it’s hard to pin down. People collect for different reasons. Some people just like the sound better, and there’s the thrill of the hunt to find what you’re looking for,” he said.
“People just want a tangible object,” he added. “People appreciate having a collection of music on a shelf.”
“Records Reimagined” will on display at CD Central, located at 377 S. Limestone St., June 8 - July 8. The opening reception on June 8 will take place from 7 - 9 p.m., and will feature a live soundtrack by local DJ Dave Farris.