Creative Innovation Starts with a Party
In clubbing culture the desire to learn more, iterate and evolve is core to its values. Anja, 22, London.
Clubbing developed from a place of frustration, struggle and creative initiative. The spaces and the scene are constantly evolving, which makes it almost surprising that groups of people are now returning
to the early infrastructure and values of clubbing, fueled by a new generation’s attitude and perspective.
In clubbing culture the desire to learn more, iterate and evolve is core to its values. Club spaces are liberating. They are an escape for some and
for others a utopia. For me, clubbing embodies expression in every form: socially, emotionally, physically and mentally. Each space varies how it impacts people, and each event is impacted by the people there. But this give and take allows people to occupy their bodies on a more communicative and empathetic level. The liberation experienced in such a space, can go beyond the moment. The mutated emotions and thoughts experienced can continue to generate new moments and ideas. Putting all these people with their boundless energy together and then feeding it encourages people to carry those ideals beyond the physical confines of the club space.
Yet across cities plans for purpose-built club spaces halted or denied, but despite these decisions by city councils and demoralized property owners, small groups of people are increasingly coming together to create more exciting experiences than would be possible in a “normal” club environment. Club spaces have been, and will continue to be, safe spaces for smaller collectives and subcultures. This remains a progressive act in society.
Comparing the subcultures and collectives of today to those of the past, the most prominent difference that emerges is the mindset, attitude and perspective of people. This generation is learning at such a fast pace — that the world is beginning to merge and mutate in all areas and movements.
A multitude of smaller collectives have recently been surfacing among cities, with a focus on creating unique club nights, and an extending vision that adopts other areas of interest and experiences. In my own experience, a number of these collectives have been born out of youthful friend groups, and people reaching out to experience something new and more “real” than what can be found in larger clubs. This is where we see generic clubbing beginning to fade out. These club nights vary in how they want you to feel, and what they want to provide: Shoot your Shot based in Glasgow hosts poetry nights and queer based performance parties; GAEZERS designed “fluid drinks” and offered them free to all the attendees at one of their parties; Bas Kolektyw hosts exhibitions alongside raves and other events in Warsaw; and Polarys Collective in Florence celebrates visual arts, fashion and music through events and documentation. The impact of these nights is not confined to the club itself or the event itself, but instead reaches beyond the moment into the life of the people there.
Pussys Club, and Irish collective, produces videos, visual content, hosts exhibitions, throws parties and occasionally collaborates with purpose-built club spaces. At the opening night to one of their exhibitions they displayed a number of video pieces and interactive works alongside visual arts. The interactive pieces and videos continued to entertain visitors all throughout the night, even when the exhibition turned into a party. One of the pieces on display was an office photocopier which had been supplied with a variety of neon pages — some of which were pre-printed with archived club flyers.
It was left for visitors to use however they liked or for them to simply take copies of the original flyers on display. After this particular night, I went onto research such archived material and collaborate on work with people who had similar interests. To me, these alternative moments and parties are both knowingly and unknowingly designed to encourage and provoke creative exchange.
These moments are important to every generation, and with the world developing at such a fast pace, it’s both necessary and natural for people to be drawn towards creating these underground parties.
I believe people will always be attracted to the idea of alternative and intimate spaces, an urge and need for spontaneous and unpredictable experiences, the moment to rejuvenate in a space that is mutated and liberated from social and sensual constraints.
