Datashock – Geltungsbereich Universum artwork
From the Provinces to Outer Space: A new Datashock record landed in August 2023. Geltungsbereich Universum is the follow-up to Kräuter der Provinz and marks their second album with Krautrock specialists Bureau B. In the words of Holger Adam, taken from the Bureau B press release:
All the herbs have been smoked. Datashock deliver a new album: Geltungsbereich Universum. Their second for Bureau B and the eighth in a career as an internationally active collective of musicians which has spanned two decades (so far). Space is the place, as the moonstruck sparrows sing from the rooftops, or is the Earth the most beautiful place in the universe? Some say yes, others no. Datashock say nothing at all.
The album artwork features Void by Malte Bentzen, a typeface released through Optimo in 2022. Void is the sole typeface used on the album cover, while the inner sleeves and vinyl labels pair it with Suisse Int’l and Suisse Works from the Swiss Typefaces team. Small details are set in SWTY’s Euclid Mono. According to Optimo’s type specimen, Void “combines a range of references from science fiction to 90s visual culture”, setting the tone for the album.
The front cover is centered around the oscillographic artwork of Datashock member Pascal Hector. He routes audio signals through various processing tools and creates vector graphics on a green-screen XY-monitor. After digitization, the graphics were color-corrected and printed in pitch black on bright white cardboard.
The typographic composition on the back cover is inspired by circuit diagrams and abstracts Pascal’s artistic workflow. It displays the album title, tracklist, and all the information typically found on the back of album covers. Both sides are visually connected by the use of UV spot varnish, which emphasizes the circuit layout and illustrations, creating a striking effect when light hits at the right angle. Shine on you crazy!
Geltungsbereich’s inner sleeve juxtaposes the certificate of ownership for a star that Datashock purchased, along with a star map showing its approximate location. A futuristic spaceship waits for launch to that solar system.
To celebrate the album release at our local arthouse cinema, we designed A2– and A3-sized Riso prints in gold and silver inks on Sirio Black paper stock. Special thanks to Drucken 3000 for making it happen!
The herbs of the province have done their work, and the universal scope of application is signed… what’s next for Datashock? Let’s look at the stars and find out together! 🚀
LP back cover with track listing and other information designed as a circuit diagram.
Inner sleeve: certificate of ownership
Inner sleeve, with spaceship and star map
Detail of front cover: the approximate location of Datashock in the universe
On the back cover, diagram elements are finished with UV spot varnish
Riso printed, A2-sized gig poster in silver
