The 1980s are regaining popularity, celebrated for their unique blend of flamboyance and club culture. Exhibitions in London exhibit influences from this decade, including iconic magazine Face and club culture pioneers. This resurgence reveals a longing for the creativity and freedom that defined that era amidst today’s economic challenges.
The 1980s are experiencing a resurgence in cultural appreciation, characterised by flamboyance, creativity, and a vibrant club culture minus smartphones. Peter York reflects on how the decade’s influences, like monetarism and style culture, are still evident today. Currently, London hosts three exhibitions celebrating this era, including a display at the National Portrait Gallery showcasing influential images from Face magazine, highlighting talented photographers and iconic figures like Kate Moss and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Tate Modern’s exhibition, Leigh Bowery!, honours a standout figure in 1980s fashion and club culture, showcasing his extravagant costumes. Meanwhile, the Fashion and Textile Museum features Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London, demonstrating the grassroots DIY creativity of that time with independent designers like John Galliano making their mark. The Design Museum is set to explore the heady club culture with the upcoming exhibition Blitz.
This nostalgic wave has attracted both those who remember the 1980s and younger generations curious about life before digital culture. Ekow Eshun highlights how Face magazine embodied a fluid and exploratory identity, capturing a pre-digital era that resonates today. The magazine’s foundational role spurred club culture and a new wave of independent fashion.
Contributors of the Face era recall its unpolished, collaborative nature, driven by creative freedom rather than commercial interests. Research shows that limitations in funding fuelled creativity, and initiatives like the Youth Employment Training Scheme provided vital opportunities.
Today, however, rising costs and limited access threaten aspiring creatives, echoing struggles from the era. Voices like Eshun affirm that the Face values supported diverse backgrounds, fostering impactful creative communities. Observations indicate that current youth find themselves reminiscing about the open possibilities of the 1980s, longing for similar opportunities in today’s corporate landscape. There’s a distinct desire for the creative freedom and sense of community that characterised that era, making the exploration of its legacy even more pressing.
The renewed interest in the 1980s highlights the ongoing impact of its cultural innovations and the nostalgia for a more liberated creative environment. Recent exhibitions illustrate the vibrant artistic culture of the time, driven by a DIY spirit and a disregard for traditional hierarchies. Today’s youth yearn for that era’s artistic possibilities, as contemporary economic challenges stifle their creative aspirations. The 80s not only shaped culture but continue to inspire current generations seeking freedom and expression in their art.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com