Art: Spirit Of Ibiza 89

This is an exhibition starting this Thursday (well the private view is then) at The Printspace on Kingsland Road in Londons Shoreditch showcasing the work of photographer Dave Swindells, Nightlife Editor at Time Out Magazine for over 22 years, and someone we have (er) borrowed heavily from over the last few years of Test Pressing (hence feeling obliged to tell anyone within five square miles of the gallery to go take a look). We love what he did and everything he captured. The reason these pictures, and the articles and videos we post, are so invaluable in our opinion is that they capture exactly what was happening rather than someones dusty memories so this one comes recommended. Go check.

Heres what the website says.

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In this exhibition, Swindells presents a series of images giving us a once in a lifetime view into the Second Summer of Love (a period in 1988-89 when electronic dance music exploded in Britains club scene). His images focus on how Balearic Beats a multifaceted and unique fusion of rock, funky reggae, Eurodisco and Chicago house as well as the ecstasy-fuelled clubbing style of life experienced in Ibiza, gave DJs the inspiration to create a freer and unrestricted club scene in London.

These images show the nightlife of Ibiza in the late 80s, with its open-air dance floors for those hot Mediterranean nights, drawing an all-ages, polysexual crowd in an easy-going hippie-inspired atmosphere. This atmosphere was nonetheless self-consciously stylish (unlike many of the dressed-down Brits). The clubbing culture to this time was very different too. In these photos you wont see people texting or tweeting, videoing their mates or posting on Facebook, explains Swindells. Nobody had mobile phones, and the only person likely to be taking pictures was the clubs own photographer. So there was nothing else to do but live in the moment, enjoy the parties or watch other people having fun while dancing the whole night.

If you are interested in more of what club culture in Ibiza and London was like at this time you should visit Spirit of Ibiza 89? at theprintspace Gallery from Friday 29 April to Wednesday 18 May 2011. The opening times are from Monday to Friday 9am 7pm at theprintspace Gallery on 74 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2 8DL.

The opening night will be on Thursday 28 April from 7pm to 9.30pm. Admission is free and theprintspace hopes to see everyone there.

Afterward the exhibition will continue at the International Music Summit in Ibiza.

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So there you have it, get along if you are in the area.

[Apiento]

Taken from the increasingly excellent testpressing.org