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Design Museum reopening with electronic music exhibition

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design museum kraftwerk

The Design Museum is set to reopen in London with a new exhibition exploring the world of electronic music, titled Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers.

The museum’s first music-themed exhibition is running from July 31, 2020 to February 14, 2021. The Design Museum also reopens in London on July 31.

Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers will look at the hypnotic world of electronic music, from its origins to its futuristic dreams.

The exhibition will feature a club-like environment where lighting and video are synched to a specially curated soundtrack by French DJ Laurent Garnier.

It will explore talent including Kraftwerk, The Chemical Brothers, Jeff Mills, Daphne Oram, Jean-Michel Jarre, Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins, Frankie Knuckles, Suzanne Ciani, Bjork and Aphex Twin.

Exhibition features club-like environment

https://vimeo.com/341863415

In addition, the exhibit will feature the museum premiere of The Chemical Brothers’ sensory spectacle by creative studio Smith & Lyall featuring visuals for the track ‘Got to Keep On’, as well as a CORE light installation by 1024 architecture.

There will be live AV experiences and multi-sensory installations, with visitors enjoying the extreme visual world created by Weirdcore for Aphex Twin’s ‘Collapse’ and a 3D experience with Kraftwerk.

The exhibition boast more than 400 items and is divided into four sections – Man and Woman Machine, Dancefloor, Mix and Remix, and Utopian Dreams and Ideals.

The journey begins with a timeline of revolutionary instruments and the innovators behind them, including an ‘imagined’ music studio from electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre.

It will also explore warehouses and dance-floors across the world in celebration of rave and club culture, as well as large-scale images of rave culture and projections of dancers.

AV experiences and multi-sensory installations

design museum chemical brothers
Felix Speller

Additionally, it will feature cover art and club posters, and will examine how clubbing communities have fought laws attempting to stop rave culture.

“With the need for music appreciated as never before, in these challenging times we are delighted to be able to host an exhibition exploring this genre,” said curator Gemma Curtin. “London will not stop dancing.”

“Design is an essential element enhancing the experience of our live show,” said The Chemical Brothers. “This new installation will give insight into how we work with Adam & Marcus (Smith & Lyall) on the visual aspect of our tours.”

The Design Museum is implementing safety procedures, including reduced capacity, mandatory face coverings, social distancing and enhanced cleaning.

Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers opens at the Design Museum on July 31.

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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