words by TIANA DE HASETH
From March 12, 2027, to January 3, 2028, the V&A will channel the spirit of pop and punk in a three-act exhibition featuring 300 objects, exploring how the 1970s shaped the art, fashion, music, movements, and underground scenes of the 1980s.
image courtesy of SEX PISTOLS RESIDUALS
The three act exhibition at V&A South Kensington starts with Act one: Grey Britain and Glam that introduces the social and political landscape of the 1970s with alongside archival media, photographs, posters and stage costumes from artist such as David Bowie and Marc Bolan.
Act two : Going Underground will examine the subcultures of punk as a reaction to urban decay and also highlight Vivienne Westwood’s legacy and bands like Sex Pistols and the Clash. Reggae and ska will also be part of the act to show the crossover they have between the punk genre. It will also explore subcultures such as post-punks, goths and the New Romantics, showing the British underground nightclub culture.
Act three: Pop Powerhouse will immerse people into the music of 1980s, the launch of MTV and new techonolgies that shaped pop music alongside the influence of artist like Kate Bush, Duran Duran and Trevor Horn.
Ultimately, this exhibition will be a huge celebration of pop and punk music, the subcultures and movements born from them, and the impact they had on our overall culture by exploring the evolution of music, art, fashion and radical artists.
Tickets will be available in early 2027 on the V&A website.
image via PINTEREST
