Stefan Sagmeister, the celebrated designer known for creating iconic album covers for music legends like the Rolling Stones and David Byrne, is set to be honoured with a major retrospective, per artnet.com. The exhibition, titled “The Masters Series: Stefan Sagmeister,” will be held at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City, where Sagmeister taught for many years.
The retrospective comes at a time when physical media for music is declining, with streaming services dominating the industry. Despite this shift, Sagmeister notes that the design quality of album covers remains high. He emphasises the importance of cover art, stating that he often chooses albums based on their covers, believing that “great covers very often contain great music.”
The exhibition will showcase Sagmeister’s innovative contributions to design, including his groundbreaking use of his own body as a medium. One of his most memorable works involved carving event details for an American Institute of Graphic Arts conference into his skin, a bold move that garnered significant attention in the design world.
Sagmeister’s influence extends beyond album covers. His “maxims,” published in the book “Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far,” have inspired a wave of typographic wisdom on social media. The designer’s work often blurs the line between art and design, though he maintains that everything he creates is ultimately design due to its inherent functionality.
The retrospective at SVA holds special significance for Sagmeister, as it represents a homecoming to the institution where he taught for many years. He credits his teaching experience with helping him articulate his thoughts and ideas, which in turn benefited his studio practice.
“The Masters Series: Stefan Sagmeister” will run from August 29 to October 12, 2024, at the SVA Chelsea Gallery in New York City, offering visitors a comprehensive look at the career of this influential designer.
- Featured image: A poster for Lou Reed’s album/Stefan Sagmeister/Lou Reed(1996).Photo courtesy of Stefan Sagmeister
