Us And Them: A conversation with Mark Blake and Peter Watts

As their most celebrated creation for Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon' prepares to mark its 50th anniversary, 'Us And Them' recounts the definitive story of the Hipgnosis design partnership, their iconic album artwork and their rock 'n' roll lives.

Join us at Battersea Bookshop with Mark Blake and his latest book Us and Them  in conversation with journalist and friend Peter Watts author of Up in Smoke  a history of Battersea Power Station from construction to reopening.

Two authors, two books with two iconic tales to tell. 

Between the late '60s and early '80s, design house Hipgnosis created some of the most iconic and ubiquitous album artwork of all time. Their original lifespan coincided with the golden age of the 12-inch LP, beginning just as the Beatles' Sgt Pepper made the record sleeve the ultimate blank canvas and ending just as new technology looked set to usurp vinyl.

Having originally been approached to design an album cover for their friends Pink Floyd, students Aubrey 'Po' Powell and Storm Thorgerson would go on to define the visual identity of rock and roll for the next fifteen years, swiftly gaining international prominence for their famed The Dark Side of the Moon artwork. This paved the way for other major musicians to set foot in the surreal photo-design world of Storm and Po, resulting in seminal Hipgnosis creations for the likes of Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, Genesis, Black Sabbath, ELO and Yes.

With the work of Hipgnosis continuing to be referenced, reproduced and revered worldwide, Us and Them serves as a celebration, a cautionary tale and a compelling human drama, exploring the vital intersection between art and music.

One of Hipgnosis's most famous album covers features Battersea Power Station, Pink Floyd and a flying pig. The story behind Animals features in Us And Them as well as Up In Smoke, and the two authors will discuss this memorable shoot as well as some of the other album covers - by Hipgnosis and others - that feature the power station.

About the speakers:

Mark Blake - has written about music and popular culture since 1989 and is the author of six books, including Magnifico! The A-Z Of Queen and Bring It On Home. His first biography, the best-selling Pigs Might Fly: The Inside Story Of Pink Floyd was first published in 2007, and awarded the Guardian's Paperback Of The Week. Us And Them: The Authorised Story Of Hipgnosis is his latest book and published February 2023. Blake has also contributed to official projects for Queen, The Who, the Jimi Hendrix estate and Pink Floyd, including 2017's Their Mortal Remains exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum. 

Peter Watts - is an author and freelance arts and features journalist who writes about London, music and architecture. A former Time Out staff writer, he now works for a variety of publications including the Guardian, Daily Telegraph and Uncut magazine. In 2016, he wrote Up In Smoke, the first biography of Battersea Power Station, and will publish his book on the history of Denmark Street later this year.

Doors will open at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start.

Tickets £7

Include a complimentary glass of wine/ soft drink and 15% discount on any book in the shop when purchased on the evening.

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