Instruction books and leaflets for manufactured goods have much to fascinate, from the often bizarre translation from a foreign language to the drawings which attempt to show us how to use products. Even the first CDs had a page of information on the format and how to look after it on the booklet. These prints take their imagery from earlier attempts to inform and instruct. I’ve always been interested in the way these often small illustrations take on a very different quality when seen out of context.
This image is based on the chance discovery of an old 1950s paper inner album bag. Many record companies produced generic inner sleeves to house and protect albums, almost all of which had variations both in manufacture and design. This particular sleeve contained small illustrated instructions on how best to open a record cover and slide in the disc; something most people might take for granted but nevertheless at the time it was felt instructions might prove useful. The LP sleeve itself was actually referred to as a “protective envelope”. What interested me was the particular quality of the very faded image when enlarged way beyond the original size.
This print uses a guide given inside a 1960s three speed record player with auto-changer built in.
While the handling of vinyl was discouraged, these repeated images from a Japanese instruction guide appears to suggest the very opposite.
Please note that the grey border is NOT on the print. Prints are 70cms X 50cms. More details at the easy on the eye online shop.
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