cover art blah

[mer_moon]

I am very particular about art. Particularly: am particular about art that goes next to poetry, art that illustrates children's books and cover art. Just now I want to make a comment on cover art and go on record saying I do not like this trend toward hyperrealistic-almost-photograph pictures of girls on teen covers, especially when they're

Comments

[asakiyume]

I agree with you. The hyperrealistic (and yet somehow bland-ified) girls on covers make it seem as if the fantasy element is just decoration, as if it's no more than another brand of makeup being applied. "Here's a story that you, dear reader, can insert yourself into. We judge you to be a well-to-do adolescent white girl, so that's what we'll show, though we guess you can read the book if you're someone else. Fantasy is Just Pretend, but come along and enjoy this Just Pretend adventure for a while."

Yuck.

And I like art as art, too, so I'd like different textures, styles, etc., in my cover art. Photos or photo-like paintings that could be on People magazine (except the girls are in !costume!) are NOT what I want.

[wirewalking]

I'm with you. I think the first book that made me do that was The Silver Metal Lover by Tanith Lee, cover art by Kinuko Y. Craft. Say, twelve or so years ago? Of course, that book's title wasn't helping its case any either ..

And HEY. I recognize that icon now! Whee!

[emilytheslayer]

Speaking of problematic cover art, have you guys seen this?

http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/07/23/aint-that-a-shame/

The blandness asaklyume notes seems to be deliberate, and it's obnoxious.

[mer_moon]

I did see that -- and it completely baffles me. I can understand publisher trying to use excuse of "well, since the girl's a liar," but after that pathetic attempt at a save, they should step back and say, "but we guess since author meant for this (being appearance, etc.) to be bedrock of truth that reader can balance on and, anyway, readers get pissed off when cover art doesn't depict what is inside the book, maybe we'll change it and save this meh okay photograph for another book, since books about secrets and teenagers aren't anywhere near rare." Blah.

[emilytheslayer]

Good summation!

[skogkatt]

What really bothers me is the trend of cutting off the heads or faces of girls and women on covers. Also, the whitewashing that emilytheslayer pointed out above, but that's sort of a different type of irritation.

[mer_moon]

True. Although I find that books about PoC are not immune to the craptastic photo-realist movement. Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu is a most awesome writer -- I just finished a book by her, and was joyful to see that she has another one already out. The hardcover art is lovely and twisty, and reminds me a bit of some old school Wrinkle in Time or Lloyd Alexander Prydaine Chronicles art in terms of the art itself (not the subject matter of art). Sort've reminds me of the Lirael and Sabriel art, too. Point is: pretty. The paperback? Has a cover that's zoomed in one photograph-girl's heavily-heavily made up eyes and -- meh. It's not the most awful thing since meat factory abuse, but it's not great, and seems to me to be a step away from cool. (Book in question: Zahra the Windseeker.)

[mer_moon]

I think I did the same thing with Patricia McKillip's work, actually! But for me, it was The Book of Atrix Wolfe, which at first I hated -- I was probably way, way too young to read prose that dense and jewelled and like it -- but now I adore and read for comfort all the time. I don't think Craft's art is always the most cover-art-y of art, but I do really adore how they handle Craft's art and McKillip's book cover layouts. You know, I think In the Forrests of Serre is available as a print on www.duirwaighgallery.com, too ... Just so's you know. I can think of a couple spots on your wall it might look lovely on!