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FIRST PICTURES: Clarke and Ware / House Of Illustrious

Clarke and Ware / The House Of Illustrious
Discs reside in circular acrylic construction supported by foam-like stand

Vince Clarke and Martyn Ware have collaborated on two albums in the past – Pretentious (1999) and Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle (2001). Both records experimental, atmospheric, ambient works. Since that time they’ve continued with their partnership and over time have assembled a totally unique collection of music.

The result is a collection of music known as House of Illustrious – a box set (of sorts), consisting of eight CDs of unreleased material plus the original two albums.

If you are getting a little fed up with predictable packaging of music boxes (books, posters, ephemera) then House of Illustrious is for you. It’s minimal, elegant and surprisingly compact. The design comes from renowned creative Malcom Garrett, Tim Milne (of Artomatic) and Martyn Ware himself.

Ware explains: “The original challenge of how to package ten CDs and accompanying information into a single desirable object has been achieved through beautiful and subtle graphic design of the CD’s themselves, combined with bespoke acrylic ‘hockey pucks’ as they became affectionately referred to, enabled the CD’s themselves to become the artistic component, together with the purpose-tooled stainless steel spindle (etched with ‘Made In Sheffield’).”

House of Illustrious is out today and is limited to 1000 copies. All come signed by Martyn Ware and Vince Clarke. They are available to order here priced at £79.95.

Scroll down to view more images (please note the set featured was an early prototype) and take a listen to some of the music.

Clarke and Ware / The House Of Illustrious
Clear acrylic disc screws on to the stainless steel spindle
Clarke and Ware / The House Of Illustrious
CDs have protection between each disc
Clarke and Ware / The House Of Illustrious
Ten CDs in total make up “House Of Illustrious”
Clarke and Ware / The House Of Illustrious
Genuine Sheffield Stainless Steel provides quality and authenticity to this set

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3 Comments

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Paul

I’ve only just discovered The Clarke and Ware Experiment. I found it fascinating who their clients were who commissioned the pieces. My favourite is Knots for the Royal Ballet. Part 1 is beautiful. Yes it’s expensive but give it a go.

Paul Kent

Not my bag, musically speaking, but bloody gorgeous nonetheless. This is how you do it, Jagger. And, given it’s bespoke nature, a damn good price tag, too!

Ron

That is quite a unique packaging method! I thought about getting it a few weeks ago, however I did not know the music. When I checked it out I had to conclude that this isn’t made for my ears, so I saved myself some money :)
Still, looks nice!