A unique library exhibit names ‘Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music’ which focuses on the deep and esoteric history of music by the UK’s African and Caribbean communities has re-opened at the British Library in London this weekend. The instillation is made of up five areas where according to the British Library website, visitors can experience ‘specially commissioned soundscapes, artworks and film installations produced by artists and collectives across the UK.’
The British Library were required to shut down events at the building due to what they described as ‘planned electrical work’ which was scheduled due to major technology outage as a result of a cyber-attack‘ throughout the last week of June, however the doors to ‘Beyond the Baseline’ re-opened as of noon on the 30th of June so that history buffs and music lovers alike can spend the summer enjoying the spectacular array of artifacts and immersive artworks.
According to an article by RAWSTORY the exhibit is ‘made up of five sections’ beginning with ‘ “Ocean”, which explores the black British music’s fraught colonial past’ and ending with ‘ “Cyberspace”, which examines the modern-day impacts of technology and the rising mainstream popularity of black British artists.’
‘Beyond the Bassline’ will run till the 24th of August and features historical artifacts — such as the tuning fork gifted to black violinist George Bridgetower by Beethoven as a token of their friendship after the duos inaugural performance of their piece ‘Kreutzer’ as well as the 16ft tall peacock costume designed by Leeds Carnival veteran Hughbon Condor who has been creating costumes for over 50 years.
Talking to AFP, Aleema Gray who has curated the exhibit, sees it as a “journey… through time and space”. Gray mentioned that the use of “we” and “our” in the text labels that accompany many of the instillations are intended directly address visitors “like is we are speaking to” them. The target audience of the exhibition is “young people, music fans and people of African and Caribbean heritage community”, primarily those who have previously felt unwelcome at institutions such as the British Library .
The British Library have worked in collaboration with a number of community organisations across the UK for create sound scapes and moving images as well as a dance video which was filmed in Cardiff on the coast by the group Jukebox Collective as well as and an installation imitating a church which honours influence of religion on black British music.
The final section is a immersive short film by the name Iwoyi, created by director and producer Tayo Rapoport and Rohan Ayinde in collaboration the group Touching Bass. Touching Bass are a South London based musical movement/curatorial platform who host monthly dances, concert series as well as sustain their own record label and biweekly NTS Radio residency. You can watch the promotional video for the short film below which features on the groups Instagram.
You can check out tickets for the event on the Seetickets website here.
