By KEVIN HOOVER
Rose-tinted recollections of the visual quality of the VHS medium will always be a topic of contention, but one point that nearly everyone agrees upon is that movie cover art never looked better than it did when glazed across the front of a VHS box.
Paying respects to an era gone but never, ever forgotten is the work of the annual OUTPOST 512 VHS BOX ART show. Scheduled for September 19th at Outpost 512 in Taylor, Texas, the event will host hand-crafted pieces inspired by some of horror’s most beloved films and created by artisans from around the world, including:
- Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street by Oo-De-Lally
- The Evil Dead and Creepshow by Anthony Jensen
- The Exorcist by Bruno Vergauwen
- The Toxic Avenger by Cody Schibi
- Friday the 13th Part 2 and 3 by RUE MORGUE’s own Paige Reynolds
Creators were invited to custom-build their favorite imagery across both cardstock and clamshell cases, says gallery owner Steven Piper, whose own experience in the video rental industry influences his yearly exhibit. “Growing up working in a video store, I was always mesmerized by the amazing art on the cover of the VHS boxes and have held this annual gallery show to pay tribute to that,” says Piper. “Every VHS box will be a custom, original piece of art that will not be reproduced or replicated. The boxes have been produced in collaboration with LunchMeat VHS.”
This year’s OUTPOST 512 VHS BOX ART show will be held September 19th, 7 pm CST at 302 N. Main St.
