Chinese Democracy Alternative Album Artwork discovered?

[stan1ey]

OK, so I read the article regarding Chinese Democracy being banned in China, which can be found here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122728243679848085.html?mod=todays_us_page_one

Of particular interest was this paragraph:

"Some Chinese artists, loath to be branded as democracy campaigners, declined valuable offers to help illustrate the album. "I listened to their music when I was little," says Beijing visual artist Chen Zhuo . He was "very glad" when GN'R asked to buy rights to use his picture of Tiananmen Square rendered as an amusement park -- with Mao Zedong's head near a roller coaster. Then, Mr. Chen looked at lyrics of the album's title song and, after consulting with his lawyer and partner, declined the band's $18,000 offer. "We have to take political risks into account as artists in China," says the 30-year-old."

I did some research on the artist in question and he appears to be a digital artist who works along side another guy called Huang Keyi.

After a few Google searches, I found some of their works entitled Carnival No 1, 2, 3, etc.  I then stumbled across what is clearly the picture described in the article - you can see Mao's head next to the roller coaster:




What does everyone else reckon?  This would have been PERFECT for Chinese Democracy as it represents East meets West.  I love the image and now have it as my new desktop.

If anyone is interested in seeing the other pictures in the Carnival series, go here:

http://www.798photogallery.cn/EN/photographer/photographer_54.html

Note - this is pure speculation on my part but I think the evidence is quite strong.  Here is Mudkicker's interpretation of the album artwork as it would have been:

[The Catcher]

That's a cool picture.

[Moonlight J]

That's very Pink Floyd appropriate.

[Drew]

I prefer the album artwork we did get.

[nekomex]

i dont understand why he declined the offer, because he could be in trouble? or because he didnt like the lyrics?

[Dickeye]

Very Buckethead

[stan1ey]

i dont understand why he declined the offer, because he could be in trouble? or because he didnt like the lyrics?

It says he consulted his Lawyer which indicates he may have gotten into trouble from the authorities in China.

[Mudkicker]

[nekomex]

i dont understand why he declined the offer, because he could be in trouble? or because he didnt like the lyrics?

It says he consulted his Lawyer which indicates he may have gotten into trouble from the authorities in China.

oh ok thanks 

[stan1ey]

Haha Nice work!

[thesloth]

i dont understand why he declined the offer, because he could be in trouble? or because he didnt like the lyrics?

When he says trouble he means jailed, black listed meaning not able to work, or killed.  I have a friend who's wife is from China and some of the stories he has told me is terrifying.  He says for the most part visitors are safe and if you piss them off they kick you out but that is about it.  However villages have being sold to corporations and when the people stood up they just sent the army in and killed all the men. 

[Chief]

Wow that is pretty wild... nice post, thank you. I like that alternative cover!

[Dickeye]

Axl has a thing for big red objects in artwork I think, all of this CD artwork reminds me of the rape cover monster from AFD.

[Mudkicker]

Axl has a thing for big red objects in artwork I think, all of this CD artwork reminds me of the rape cover monster from AFD.

well it's actually interesting how similar this piece of art is to Robert William's artwork, not so much "appetite for destruction" but if you look into some of his other works, it's very similar.

[thesloth]

That is very cool

[CheapJon]

or maybe it was for the booklet

[uzisuicide2002]

lol i like it. I don't think it real but i like it 

[Dr. Blutarsky]

Remember the 1st listings on Amazon a couple months back? They had at one time different covers available ( cover A and cover B)

[stan1ey]

Remember the 1st listings on Amazon a couple months back? They had at one time different covers available ( cover A and cover B)

This was the basis for my theory - the alternative cover was pulled and Azoff mentioned issues with the CD cover in an interview leading up to the launch.  Shortly afterwards the 2nd cover was pulled.  The article states that the artist consulted his lawyer and pulled out of the deal so this could well haver been the alternative cover.

I have now found the gallery in Hong Kong that has this work and am enquiring about buying it.

[TomFriend]

Very cool, thanks for the work.