COVENTRY City of Culture Trust has revealed the location for an immersive multi-media exhibition exploring the pioneering role Coventry played in house music.
House is a Feeling will take place from November 11th – 28th 2021 in part of the former IKEA building.
Owned by Coventry City Council, the building is being used for a number of innovative, interim uses ahead of it being transformed into a collections centre of national and international standing.
House is a Feeling is a chronological exploration of a music and cultural-revolution in Coventry from 1985 to 1993.
This multi-sensory exhibition gives insight into a city before, during and after the arrival of house music and ecstasy and into the experiences of those involved.
The work includes contemporary visual interpretations of the underground drug culture and captures significant historical moments covering themes of racism and city centre violence featuring local people telling untold stories of their experience.
House is a Feeling was commissioned by Coventry City of Culture Trust in partnership with Coventry City Council.
Coventry City of Culture Trust creative director Chenine Bhathena said: “This exhibition documents one of the last youth and cultural movements of the 20th Century in the UK.
“The city was at the epicentre of electronic dance music and rave culture at this time.
“There was a sense of freedom and spirit amongst that generation that won’t be seen again.”
Adi Dowling, who has curated the exhibition, said: “This is a historical documentation of one of the most important cultural movements of the 20th century and maps the journey of a youth revolution that took over the world.
“The amazing thing was this was brought together by black, brown and white street kids who had nothing but each other.”
Councillor David Welsh, cabinet member for housing and communities which covers art and culture, said: “It is wonderful that we are able to celebrate a lesser-known but important part of Coventry’s musical history in this way.
“As a Council, we are committed to ensuring that various partners across the country come together to create the Collection Centre in this landmark building.”
Friday, November 12 and Friday, November 26, will be ‘Live Fridays’ where visitors can take in the exhibition and experience live performance elements.
On Wednesday, November 24 there will be a specially commissioned Deaf Rave event from 5pm until 8pm.
Rinkoo Barpaga will be the BSL tour guide of the space that uses film, lighting and dry ice to recreate and comment on rave culture.
