LONDON.- Saatchi Gallery opened Sweet Harmony: Rave | Today, an immersive retrospective exhibition devoted to presenting a revolutionary survey of rave culture through the voices and lenses of those who experienced it.
The exhibition recaptures the new world that emerged from the acid house scene and narrates the ascendancy of rave culture with the youth of today. Saatchi Gallery’s Director Philly Adams alongside co-curator Kobi Prempeh have assembled a comprehensive panel of visionaries including; Sheryl Garratt, Bill Brewster, Agnes Bliah, Juan Rincon (Voltage and SCI-Arc), Jorge Nieto (Creative Director of Village Underground) and Craig Richards, all of whom have made significant contributions in the execution of the exhibition. Their combined reflections have culminated in a unique and timely production staged over two main floors of the Gallery.
Sweet Harmony features multimedia room installations and audio-visual works by some of the rave movements’ most prolific and authentic visual commentators. Philly remarks: "I am delighted to showcase a timeline history of the UK rave scene - how it arrived, how it exported, and morphed across Europe and beyond. The exhibition will champion authentic commentators from past and present and re-position revered artists closely linked to the story. It will examine the ways electronic music has connected people from all walks of life, at a key moment in our history where we need to come together."
The acid house revolution has been charted through typographic accounts, photo stories, live music events, talks and panel discussions by the movements’ architects and influencers. By reliving the revolution through the voices and lenses of those who experienced it, Sweet Harmony portrays the new world that emerged from the club scene of the 80s and 90s.
Headlining the experience are the artists and observers who captured and archived the atmosphere surrounding one of the biggest countercultural movements of the twentieth century, including photographers Tom Hunter, Vinca Petersen, Ted Polhemus, Dave Swindells and Mattko. Visitors of Sweet Harmony are invited to step into the glory days of rave culture and immerse themselves in the visually stimulating recollections, accompanied by Spotify curated playlists by music personalities related to the sub-genres of Detroit Techno, Acid House, Happy Hardcore, UK Garage, and Grime.
Saatchi Gallery will be hosting an exciting programme of live events in Gallery 10 alongside the main exhibition; bringing together an array of commissioned artworks and sound installation pieces from electronic musicians and visual artists including Lost Souls of Saturn, Carsten Nicolai (Alva Noto), Weirdcore and Conrad Shawcross.
Sweet Harmony runs from 12 July until 14 September 2019.
