'1978’ will aim to create a dialog that explores Manchester’s historic subcultures, examining the correlations, and therefore producing a visualistic and concise timeline of predominant cultural happenings and movements. Thus occurring from the late 1970’s, a time where social expression was rejoiced through the Punk movement. The 80’s - a period fueled by acid house, recreational drugs, and a sense of creative euphoria which oozed into the early 90’s and beyond.  

 

The exploration of these movements will act as the driving force of ‘1978’, and how each played a key part in the ideological change of Manchester’s cultural aesthetic.

 

Located at Beehive Mill, just shy of the city’s Northern Quarter, we have transformed this Grade ll listed cotton mill into an interactive playground, which will seek to inform you on the city’s bold, and expressive attitude, through an array of different art mediums.

 

The exhibition could be considered more so as an on going project, a collaboration on a national scale that draws a creative thread through the social, intellectual and artistic practice of students in the North. We have exhibiting works from students with very different backgrounds and practices, not only this, but a range of different Universities and courses that has allowed for a more diverse response to what we consider, arguably, the United Kingdom’s “second city” and its interconnected past.

 

Most importantly, it’s an opportunity for reflection. Looking back on a city that’s had its fair share of explosive political and social movements, which has inevitably acted as a major source of influence for past  practitioners within the city. Now, it’s our time.

As we seek to explore this vast metropolis of street culture, fashion, architecture and music, we invite you, the viewer, to join us on this incredible journey of creative endeavours.

 

Jason Molyneux

Curator 

Leeds Metropolitan University