Celine Dion, “Taking Chances” Art Direction and Design: Maria Paula Marulanda Sony Records

I honestly thought that Britney Spears’ cover for her new album, BLACKOUT, would be this month’s COVERCULTURE SHOCK feature. However, in came Celine Dion with her new album, TAKING CHANCES. Well, Ms. Dion is definitely taking some chances here, but ones not in her favor. Yes, she’s been out of the pop spotlight for some time, being the center of her Las Vegas spectacular, “A New Day”. Maybe it was the stress of the Las Vegas nightlife that caused her hair to be so…teased? And you just can’t ignore the open jacket revealing just a hint of cleavage. Yes, this cover paints (or maybe airbrushes) Celine in a bold, more daring, more sexy light as she dresses for success to re-emerge and conquer the pop scene once again. As much as I give art director Maria Paula Marulanda credit for trying, this cover is one chance that I would not take.  However, there is one photo on the inside of the packaging that, in my opinion, should have been the album cover. This beautiful silhouette image seen here. Not only would this be eye-popping on the shelves, but think of the infinite questions that arise with this image. What is she thinking? What chance is she contemplating? This image is beautiful, intimate, and mysterious. It’s Celine Dion in an unexpected light, literally and figuratively. Why didn’t anyone take a chance on it?