Music and visual art have always shared a common rhythm, a dialogue between sound and image, emotion and expression.
From psychedelic album covers to surreal stage costumes, the crossover between these two creative worlds has birthed some of the most iconic cultural moments of the 20th century.
This dynamic fusion takes center stage in “Echoes: Origins and Echoes of British Art Rock,” a compelling exhibition series at the Fondazione Luigi Rovati’s Art Pavilion in Milan, curated by Francesco Spampinato.
What Is Art Rock?
Emerging in the UK during the 1960s and 70s, art rock blurred the boundaries between progressive music and avant-garde aesthetics. It wasn’t just about sound — it was about storytelling through visuals, identity, and innovation.
Bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, and Peter Gabriel didn’t just release albums; they crafted immersive visual experiences that challenged conventions and inspired generations.
A Three-Part Visual Journey Through the Sound of British Art Rock
“Echoes” is structured as a trilogy of exhibitions, each exploring a different dimension of the art rock phenomenon. Paintings, illustrations, photography, installations, videos, and rare memorabilia weave a rich narrative of how British rock musicians and artists co-created a new visual language.
The Beatles: Myth Beyond Fame
The journey begins with the Fab Four and their transformation from pop stars into cultural icons. The exhibition takes a deep dive into the making of the legendary Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover — a pop art masterpiece by Peter Blake and Jann Haworth, documented by photographer Michael Cooper.
You’ll also find psychedelic portraits by Richard Avedon, a haunting reference to Helter Skelter by Raymond Pettibon, and an intimate video portrait of John Lennon by Yoko Ono.
The show concludes with Pipilotti Rist’s feminist reinterpretation in I’m Not The Girl Who Misses Much.
Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis: Surreal Perceptions of Reality
This chapter explores the surreal, often metaphysical imagery behind the soundscapes of British progressive rock. Highlights include:
- Roger Dean’s fantastical cover art for Yes
- Iconic visuals by Hipgnosis and Storm Thorgerson for Pink Floyd — from The Dark Side of the Moon’s prism to Wish You Were Here’s burning man
- Original works by Paul Whitehead and Colin Elgie for Genesis albums like Foxtrot and A Trick of the Tail
- An immersive installation by Nathalie Djurberg echoes the dreamlike, drug-infused visual aesthetic that defined the era.
Peter Gabriel: Fragmentation of Identity
The third and final act centers on Peter Gabriel, the enigmatic former Genesis frontman turned solo pioneer. The exhibit showcases:
- His iconic Scratch, Car, and Melt album covers, signed by Hipgnosis
- Costumes and stage personas, from the red-dressed fox to Shock the Monkey’s theatrical makeup
- Multimedia explorations, including Gabriel’s early CD-ROM experiments
- Works by Man Ray, Keith Haring, and Kiki Smith that reflect the theme of fractured identity and postmodern dissonance
A Timeless Legacy: The Influence of Art Rock Today
Through archival materials and rarely seen artwork, Echoes not only traces the origins of British art rock, but also examines its lasting influence on contemporary art and pop culture.
From surrealism to English Pop Art, counterculture to postmodern expression, the exhibition illustrates how the visual language of rock music continues to inspire artists, designers, and musicians across disciplines.
Whether you’re a music lover, art aficionado, or cultural historian, Echoes is a journey through the past that still reverberates in today’s creative world.