Silent Shores: Artists reimagine their iconic poster designs for a now-silent Montreux Jazz Festival

In April, the Montreux Jazz Festival announced the cancellation of its 54th edition in the wake of Covid-19. As it falls silent for the first time since 1967, it has decided to explore its rich visual heritage by asking seventeen artists to reimagine their iconic official posters from the past.

Bruno Gaeng

Bruno Gaeng

Based on the theme, Silent Shores, the creatives have taken their previous design and created a new version, imagining instead a Montreux without music. Names include John Armleder, Yoann Lemoine (Woodkid), Zep, Luciano Castelli, Malika Favre and Ignasi Monreal. Here, we share their fresh designs alongside the originals.

Over the past fifty years, the Festival has entrusted the creation of its official poster to international artists across the world. Keith Haring produced a trio of posters in 1983 and teamed up with Andy Warhol for another in 1986. David Bowie took a turn in 1995, and more recent offerings have come from Yoann Lemoine (Woodkid), Malika Favre, and Christian Marclay.

With Silent Shores, the seventeen artists' interpretations are contemplative and subversive by turns, tinged with sadness, a hint of anger or humour. You can buy artworks from the series, but hurry – they're limited-edition runs of 100. Visit montreuxjazzshop.com to grab yourself an artwork.

In other news, the Montreux Jazz Festival has also announced the launch of its public design competition. Until midnight on 12 June 2020, the public will be able to design their own poster on the theme of Silent Shores. All works will then be presented on the festival website. The winner will be chosen from the 10 best submissions, selected by an internal jury and voted via the festival's social channels. They'll receive an all music pass for the 2021 festival edition next year. If you want to take part, details are here.

Malika Favre

Malika Favre

Francis Baudevin

Francis Baudevin

Greg Gorman

Greg Gorman

John M Armleder

John M Armleder

Albin Christen

Albin Christen

Ignasi Monreal

Ignasi Monreal

Luciano Castelli

Luciano Castelli

Giovanni Riva

Giovanni Riva

Per Arnoldi

Per Arnoldi

Richard James North

Richard James North

Roger Bornand

Roger Bornand

Romero Britto

Romero Britto

Zep

Zep

Yoann Lemoine (Woodkid)

Yoann Lemoine (Woodkid)

Matthias Winkler

Matthias Winkler

Oscar Oiwa

Oscar Oiwa

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