The only fitting way to open this feature is to pass our words over to the creator of move/003, an exhibition celebrating black and LGBTQIA+ rave culture and communities, or as you might know her better, SHERELLE, “Dance music – music that you dance to – that’s created by black and queer people, that unfortunately gets forgotten about”.
Her exhibition, in collaboration with art curator Flynn Studio, reminds dance-music devotees of this very fact, inviting the likes of Nia Archives, Otik and Loraine James and other artists part of the scene for live DJ sets and chats over the next ten days whilst taking visitors on a journey through the ‘movements’ many of us make at the rave.
Easing us onto the exhibition, a selection of items found on the floor of Colour Factory, from a mucky elf ear to someone’s missing minion wallet and sunnies with a single lens left intact. This section takes us back to items we lost on the dance floor and makes us wonder if any that future mates picked them up along the way. We’re sure many of you heading there over the next week and a half will be able to relate to at least one, or even find something you once owned behind the glass.
Made up of nine different audio-visual zones, move/003 brings in GLOW, Spotify’s global music program celebrating and amplifying LGBTQIA+ artists, to bring life to the visuals, as attendees listen to re-edited conversations with the collective of DJs, producers and creatives through AIAIAI-supplied headphones. Topics touch on everything from the importance of Black entrepreneurism in nightlife to making art in a cis-white-male-dominated world. We won’t spoil too much, but here’s an exclusive glimpse into what you can expect to find at the exhibition before it opens tomorrow (including early access to the audio clips)…
‘moment of Colour’
As you enter the space, you’re met by photos of Colour Factory’s security guards, who will have welcomed many of you into the venue and now, move/003. This area, titled ‘moment of Colour’ integrates Immani Iris’ photography with Otik, an emerging artist in the scene who’s played at ION and other memorable dance music events, is the voice behind the accompanying audio clip (which you can pre above). Delving into the importance of black-owned spaces (big up Colour Factory), he touches on how electronic music has developed his spiritual journey and connection to something greater.
‘moment of Nostalgia’
Take a right turn at this point, and you’ll be met with one of the most expansive images in the exhibition, sucking you straight into the world of nineties-rave-scene photographer Tristan O’Neil. Spanning an entire wall, as you take a seat on the opposing sofa, one of two things might happen, you’ll long to have experienced the period of pre-millennium dance music live, or for any old-school ravers paying a visit, you’ll probably yearn to return to it. If you can pull your eyes away, grab a pair of headphones from behind you and settle your ears into the smooth voice of Roska as he reminisces on the ’00s, from the rise of Rinse FM to the fall of UK Funky, all whilst showing some much-needed appreciation for the role Jamaican culture played in influencing the scene.
‘moment of Pride’
Perhaps one of the most powerful audio-visual combinations in the exhibition, you’ll find yourself before some of the very faces being celebrated by move/003. Through DeLovie Kwagala’s photography combined with TAAHLIAH’s commentary, you’ll explore the incredible strength they have, staying positive in the face of human rights abuses and inhumane laws in their homeland. Vocalising the complexities of queer pride, this particular corner paints a picture of the constant dance between endurance and vulnerability this community experiences on a daily basis, another reason why safe spaces are of such importance in the scene.
‘moment of Solitude’
Wandering deeper into the dark-lit areas of the space, we were drawn to a single seat, planted in front of fourteen TV screens. Curiously placing on the headphones, our ears took in the words of Loraine James, reaching out to ravers who might find themselves separated from their friends on a night out (or those who get lost intentionally) and the importance of seclusion in the creative process, as Chicago-based artist Professor Wreck’s digital flyers, flickering on the sets, invited us to a party for one where solitude is something to be celebrated.
‘moment of Inspiration
Exploring one last corner before it was our turn to chat with SHERELLE (which you can watch here), we found sanctuary on a green sofa, in a more simplistic area of the exhibition to listen to her audio. Two screens with swirling colourful images, put our minds in a more meditative state, allowing us to slip on the headphones and audibly absorb the visual process of her journey in music, past, present and future.
While we’ve given you an exclusive glimpse into this immense exhibition before it opens its doors tomorrow, the only real way to get the full effect of this audio-visual experience is to see it for yourself. Secure your free ticket HERE and while you’re tubeing it over to 180 Strand, give SHERELLE’s official playlist of tracks for the exhibition a listen…