Cal Schenkel is a designer and artist who first came to attention as the creator of Frank Zappa’s record album covers in the late 1960’s. He is referred to as Frank Zappa’s art engineer and was given responsibility to develop the external vision of the Zappa universe. The album covers were almost as important as the music.
Grand Wazoo 1972
Schenkel has maintained he was an artistic mercenary charged with satisfying various concepts which were projections of Frank Zappa’s identity. The visual constellation centered around Zappa could not have existed without the highly articulate and narrative work of Schenkel who in a sense helped define Zappa’s identity , accentuating the larger than legend dimensions of the image.
Captain Beefheart 1969
Schenkel’s artwork fascinates by its mass of contradictions. The linework is delicate and with purpose but the application is uneven, anti-curvilinear and expressively showcases a grotesque and exagerrated sense of humour. Its compelling work that is anti-corporate and unconventional, yet avoids falling into the derivative idioms of underground art such as applying stereotypes common to this genre of comic and animated art.
" height="405" />Over-Nite Sensation 1973
The result is original and compelling. There are odd juxtapositions and an interconnectedness bordering on the absurd.It is sometimes naive, dense,organic and sophisticated. Its pop art that neglects consumption and accumulation themes which are fended off with inflections of neo-dadaism .Its art thats not branded. Somehow it sticks together and works providing a comprehensive visual experience.
Schenkel completed only one semester at art school so there is a natural unschooled hand leaving an unfinished, rough and slightly ragged feel in some of the early work. The jagged or ”ratty” form he developed would soon become refined and intentional and further carburated by a creative determination.
One Size Fits All 1975
The influence of American folk art and Naive art complement the comic animation elements. The sum is always greater than the parts. Schenkel possesses an almost innate sense of Gestalt theory which he uses to determine the way objects are perceived. Its the same approach exploited by advertising agencies in their ”montage” of elements but Schenkel employs the idea in a non-manipulative, honest yet artistically persuasive manner. Schenkel is also an excellent collage artist.
Cheap Thrills Cover Painting
COMMENTS
Was a Frank Zappa belong to someone who lived or still lives in Kentucky or West Virginia?