The Destruction Of The Temple by Barry N. Malzberg
1975 – New English Library
Cover artist uncredited
An occasional series of book covers whose outlandish design evokes bafflement and confusion in equal measure.
What the hell did Malzberg do in the seventies to warrant a full scale art department revolt? Having featured another of his titles in the last slot (here), it is with regret that I have to include another of his covers for a second time running.
So here we have a giant man with a movie camera instead of the usual human head hovering on a cloud. He appears to be wearing long johns and a cricket jumper as he films the kennedy motorcade which is driving across a vast expanse of laminate flooring. Is it just me who finds these covers a just a tad strange?
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The cover image immediately reminded me of a street painting that I shot in 2010 by Codefc in London.
Here: http://postcardcafe.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/new-work-by-david-walker-london/
I was drawn to the colourful portrait by David Walker but check out the piece next to it! I wonder if they were inspired by the Malzberg cover? Interesting that your blog post is What The? and the painting is F**k 2012 I’m Ready Now! It made me smile. Best wishes, Mr Cafe
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That’s a great piece Mr Cafe, definitely a strange coincidence if not a direct influence! All the best.
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I love it. Again, fits the themes of Malzberg perfectly 🙂 He has so many stories about making documentaries of JFK’s assassination (this might be a novel version of some of these stories — haven’t read it yet). So, the entire observer as “interpreting” the scene via film. Love it.
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Glad you’re enjoying this mini-series Joachim, I can see what the designers have tried to do with this one but the results are still mighty strange!
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Malzberg is mighty strange!
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I concur!
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