A chandelier full of high heels and beads hangs above a cheetah print rug and gold wallpaper, which now adorn the window of Future Tenant on Penn Avenue. Throughout the gallery hang various mirrored balls and pictures. It’s all part of an exhibition opening examining the influence of disco on modern culture.
New York-based curator and Hampton Township native Emily Colucci said disco is generally seen as superficial, but she contends there is value to exploring disco’s aesthetic and cultural impact.
“It really was important music and an important nightlife scene,” Colucci said. “It really pushed the boundaries of experimentation, of different people coming together.”
The show is called “Night Fever,” drawing inspiration from the 1977 Bee Gees song of the same name. “Night Fever” showcases the work of nine artists, displaying disco-themed artwork in across several disciplines, including Scott Andrew’s exploration of decadence through a drag interpretation of Dusty Springfield and a chandelier that can be seen in Future Tenant’s window.
“Adam Milner is doing a video that’s silent and it’s just him dancing in front of a blank wall,” Colucci said. “It’s boiling down the essence of maybe going to a disco club which could be this transcendent, communal experience but boiling it down to that single dancer interpreting the music through their body. So there’s a wide variation [of disciplines].”
Colucci said the show combines the talents of both local and New York-based artists to create a colorful display complete with disco balls, leopard print wallpaper and homage to Donna Summer.
“Really it’s just about fun,” Colucci said. “At the end of the day you can intellectualize it as much as you want but the truth is who doesn’t like disco? It’s just a fun time. That’s what I hope people get from it, and that they leave with a sense of fun.”
“Night Fever” debuts Friday during the Cultural Trust Gallery Crawl with an opening reception from 5:30 - 10 p.m. The show will be at Future Tenant at 819 Penn Avenue through August 13.
