Storm Thorgerson and Rene Magritte

Wish You Were Here – Storm Thorgerson

Thorgerson

Thorgerson was greatly influenced from a young age by the works of Rene Magritte, whom created surrealist imagery.

Thorgerson set out to create images which were real in physicality but impalpable as to how it was. He liked to create images which would provoke many interpretations, this would then encourage the viewer to give the pieces a second glance henceforth giving the bands’ album more attention.

One interpretation you could make from his “wish you were here” image, seen left, is that the man on fire has just secured a highly profitable deal and therefore he feels “on fire” with how well his business is going.

Another variation to that could be that the man is in fact Satan, placed upon earth inciting people with greed which then fuels the ever-growing consumerism. Therefore the fire could be symbolising him as such to the audience.

Magritte

The Lovers II (1928) - Rene Magritte

One of the leading advocates for Surrealism, he was a Belgian painter whom experimented on occasion with Fauve, Pseudo-Impressionism and Cubist-Futurist style. The majority of his work he chose to create in surrealist style and it was from his works that Thorgerson became inspired to follow the style. Magritte’s work had reoccurring subjects, such as bowler-hat topped men and floating rocks, aimed to bemuse and amuse he created his works with a sense if ambiguity. 
His images also became a big influence on the Pop art movement and has been featured in a reinterpreted manner on album covers. One way in which his work influenced that of others is through his clever use of turning the ordinary into the unordinary. This was achieved through repeating elements across the image, which may be inspired through his job working on creating wallpaper designs and also through placing such objects in odd contexts. This forced viewers to analyse his work and decipher the possible symbolism behind his pieces.

The image above shows two lovers kissing while their faces are covered, therefore although they are in an intimate embrace they are restrained from carrying such out. This may be a reflection on abstinence before marriage or perhaps an unfulfilled desire.