In a harmonious marriage of art, music and humanitarianism, the final edition of Secret 7" will auction off artist-designed record sleeves in aid of charity Help Refugees. The format is simple: seven tracks are chosen from seven of the world’s most eminent musicians and each is pressed 100 times to 7” vinyl. Among the 700 designers creating one-of-a-kind sleeves for this year's singles are Anish Kapoor, Tacita Dean, Jadé Fadojutimi, Lubaina Himid, Ragnar Kjartansson, Mark Wallinger, Jake & Dinos Chapman and Jeremy Deller.
Appealing to record fanatics and art enthusiasts alike, sleeves have been designed for one of a choice of seven classic tracks including One Step Ahead, by Aretha Franklin; Blind Willie McTell, by Bob Dylan; This Is A Call by Foo Fighters and Miles Runs The Voodoo Down, by Miles Davis.
There’s one catch: the identity of both the sleeve designer and track inside will remain under wraps until the record reaches its owner’s hands. All 700 records will be exhibited at NOW Gallery on Greenwich Peninsula from Wednesday 14 October - Sunday 1 November and will be sold via digital auction on the final day.
What began as a ‘side hustle’ in 2012 has now raised more than £215,000 for charitable causes and Secret 7" founders Kevin King and Jordan Stokes hope this final sale can bring the total to £250,000. Since their inception, the initiative has seen participating musicians include The Rolling Stones, Elton John and Public Enemy and original artwork created by the likes of Jenny Holzer, Yoko Ono and fashion designer Paul Smith.
In partnership with Columbia Records, Now Gallery and Camden Town Brewery, the project will raise funds for Help Refugees, a charity that provides both emergency aid and long term solutions – including food, clothing and shelter – to those most in need across the globe. The organisation has so far reached more than one million people through more than 120 projects in 15 countries.
INFORMATION
Secret 7” will be on view at NOW Gallery from 14 Oct - 1 November 2020. The public charity auction will be held online on 1 November.
ADDRESS
NOW Gallery
The Gateway Pavilions
Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula
London SE10 0SQ
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