RAVE: Rave and its Influence on Art and Culture

by Nav Haq (Editor), Wolfgang Tillmans (Contributor), Kodwo Eshun (Contributor)

RAVE is one of the first publications to critically engage with the historical rave movement of the 1980s and 1990s as it relates to contemporary art and visual culture. Following the death of industrial Europe, Rave emerged as Europe’s last big youth movement. This book considers the social, political and economic conditions that led to the advent of rave as a ‘counterculture’ across Europe, as well as its aesthetics, ideologies and influence on contemporary art and beyond. Combining specially commissioned texts, interviews and factual material, RAVE represents a broad range of artistic practices, including the work of Jeremy Deller, Rineke Dijkstra and Daniel Pflumm, amongst many others.

In addition to artistic contributions, the book features texts by Mark Fisher and Nav Haq, as well as interviews with Walter van Beirendonck, the famous Belgian fashion designer; and Renaat Vandepapeliere & Sabine Maes, who run the legendary R&S Record label.

Published in partnership with Modern of Modern Art, Antwerp.

Genres: Music, Art, Cultural

272 pages, Paperback

Published August 30, 2016

Reviews

[Melody Newby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful cultural studies book- and eye opening for an old Canadian raver here. ;) I always thought rave started in Chicago in the gay house clubs in the 90s but turns out it started in the 80s in Belgium. Best thing out of this book: watch "Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore" by Mark Leckey.

[Joshua Line · Rating 5 out of 5]

"From time to time, like a diseased eyeball in which disturbing flashes of light are perceived or like those baroque sunbursts in which rests from another world suddenly break into this one, we are reminded that Utopia exists and that other systems, other spaces, are still possible."

[Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good read, but more of a collection of interviews and artist profiles than an analysis of rave and it's influence on art and culture.