“Well, I think that progress is not possible without deviation. And I think that it's important that people be aware of some of the creative ways in which some of their fellow men are deviating from the norm, because in some instances they might find these deviations inspiring and might suggest further deviations which might cause progress, you never know.” - Frank Zappa, 1971
The visionary musician and artist Frank Zappa would — and should — be turning 80 this December, but his staggering body of work continues to enrich and inspire. That’s why it was so exciting to hear about Alex Winter’s incredible new documentary, ZAPPA, an expansive and intimate portrait of Frank Zappa, his life, and his times.
To honor ZAPPA — both the man and the film — we’re releasing two new posters this Friday on The Drop: a 24”x36” screenprint designed by Rob Jones, and from our friends at The Press Room, the ZappAttack Ad Block Poster Monstrosity, an 18”x24” letterpress print curated and signed by ZAPPA director Alex Winter. Next Saturday, Alex will sign and give away one copy of the letterpress mashup at Alamo On Demand’s live watch party of ZAPPA, hosted on Scener on November 28th at 7:30pm.
“I grew up in places where freak flags rarely fluttered.
Frank Zappa’s face, chill with knowledge, would pop up on occasion in the wild. I always took notice. It was a bit of a mermaid with the promise of something novel. Alex Winter’s new film ZAPPA documents all the ways he fulfilled that promise.
Zappa’s noggin had Christmas light strings of ideas criss-crossing his skull’s interior. His indefatigable nature allowed him to run a lot of them down. Director Alex Winter sews a portrait from current interviews and the Zappa Trust’s massive film archive. It’s a crazy quilt that surrounds and allows you to meet the man.
The poster I made for it might glow, not sure. Turn out the lights when you get it.” – Rob Jones
ZAPPA Screenprinted Poster. Art by Rob Jones. Printed by D&L Screenprinting. 24"x36". Edition of 110. Expected to ship in January 2021. Ships worldwide. $50.
To create the new documentary ZAPPA, director Alex Winter combed through a thousand hours of mostly unseen material from Zappa’s personal archives. To create the ZappAttack Ad Block Poster Monstrosity, Winter also raided The Press Room’s archive of over 40,000 vintage newspaper ad blocks, creating a loving pop-art collage representing Zappa’s love for classic monster and sci-fi movies.
Titles represented include INVASION OF THE SAUCER-MEN, THE BLOB, THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF, THEM, GORGO, IT CONQUERED THE WORLD, MONSTER ON THE CAMPUS, THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE, ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS, KONGA, and THE MAGNETIC MONSTERS.
ZappAttack Ad Block Poster Monstrosity. Curated and signed by Alex Winter. Printed by Alamo Press Room. 18"x24". Edition of 250. Expected to ship in January 2021. Ships worldwide. $50.
Both Zappa posters go on sale Friday, Nov 20 at 11am Central at The Drop.
