Subliminal Gallery transforms into a listening party for its new exhibition, “Shepard Fairey: 50 Shades of Black,” the third in an ongoing obsession – er, project – in which the artist imagines his work in the context of old-school, 12-inch record album covers. Fairey has created an all-new series of 50 such images, channeling, honoring and reimagining the design aesthetics that make for both great covers and successful visual art, because it's all about a gift for immediate, visceral communication. Parts one and two – “Revolutions” and “Sound & Vision” – happened in 2011 and 2012, respectively; now Fairey is ready to bring the experience closer to home. In addition to an opening-night performance from “Sound & Vision” collaborator Z-Trip, the gallery installation features vintage record players and selections from the Fairey household's own music collection, all free to play and jam out to. Fairey is, of course, best known for his striking visual style, but even from an early age, it's been all about the vinyl. “Music has been one of my biggest influences because it's democratic, visceral, and can be intellectual as well,” he says. “There's a lot of great art that has been created for music, by artists like Raymond Pettibon, Jamie Reid, Winston Smith, Storm Thorgerson, John Van Hamersveld and so on. My favorite is Smell the Glove by Spinal Tap, but Rock 'n' Roll Over by KISS is still the best!” Keep the show in mind as you celebrate Record Store Day on April 19. Subliminal Projects, 1331 W. Sunset Blvd., Echo Park. Wed., April 16, 8-11 p.m.; free with RSVP: rsvp@subliminalprojects.com. Exhibition runs through May 17, Wed.-Sat., noon-6 p.m. (213) 213-0078, subliminalprojects.com.

Wednesdays-Sundays. Starts: April 16. Continues through May 17, 2014
(Expired: 05/17/14)

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