Chemical Brothers, Kraftwerk & More Honored in London Design Museum Exhibit
2/12/2020 by Kat Bein
Listening to The Chemical Brothers on record is a treat, but seeing the Manchester duo perform live onstage is a mind-altering experience. The group's reputation for showstopping tours has been earned over decades via a mix of next-level graphics and imaginative use of props and effects. The tour for its latest Grammy-winning album No Geography was a new height of ocular amazement, and fans can feel what it was like to be on that stage during a new exhibit at London's Design Museum.
Alongside its titular artists, Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers will feature intimate looks at the design concepts behind the work of Jeff Mills, Daphne Oram, Jean-Michel Jarre, Aphex Twin and others. The museum will create a club-like environment wherein fans can experience the genres history while peering into its future, as well as understand the infuence of electronic music on contemporary design, fashion and art.
“Design is an essential element enhancing the experience of our live show," The Chemical Brothers are quoted in a press release. "This new installation will give insight into how we work with Adam and Marcus (of Smith & Lyall) on the visual aspect of our tours."
The London exhibit is adapted from last year's popular showcase Electro: From Kraftwerk to Daft Punk at the Musée de la musique - Philharmonie de Paris. It is much expanded, however, set to feature more than 400 items in four unique sections titled Man and Woman Machine, Dancefloor, Mix and Remix, and Utopian Dreams and Ideals.
The chronological presentation celebrates innovative instruments and musicians, including an "imagined" music studio from Jean-Michel Jarre, a dynamic light installation by 1024 architecture, the Moog 55 synthesiser and the iconic TR-808. Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers will also feature works from Charles Jeffrey of Loverboy, Andreas Gursky, Peter Saville, Boiler Room, the Designers Republic, Christian Marclay, Jeremy Deller and more.
Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers runs April 1 to July 26. Visit the Design Museum of London online to learn more.