A new exhibition exploring the global rise of the alternative music scene in the 90’s is coming to Sydney. Dubbed UNPOPULAR, the Powerhouse museum exhibition will showcase the never-before-seen archive of music entrepreneur Stephen ‘Pav’ Pavlovic.
According to a press release, UNPOPULAR will explore how Pav played a key role in shaping, documenting, and promoting iconic bands of the time, including Nirvana, Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, Fugazi and Bikini Kill.
WATCH: Nirvana – Live @ Selina’s, The Coogee Bay Hotel, Sydney 1992
Opening to the public on Thursday, 27th October, UNPOPULAR will put more than 200 pieces of personal and priceless items from Pav’s collection up on display, including photos, posters, graphic art, fanzines, tour itineraries, setlists, and personal handwritten letters and postcards.
Meanwhile, unseen video footage and unheard music demos and live audio recordings also promise to give punters a dynamic audio-visual experience.
One of the exhibition’s main drawcards is a spotlight on Nirvana, featuring live footage of the band’s first ever performance in Australia at the Phoenician Club in Sydney back in 1992, as well as Kurt Cobain’s iconic MTV Unplugged Martin Guitar, which is currently the most expensive guitar in the world.
Pav reflects: “Nirvana were only just pricking the ears of people who could sense this young, largely unknown act could set the table of rock music culture for the next decade. When Dan Peters from Mudhoney suggested I get in touch with Kurt and Krist, I didn’t think that 30 years later I’d have to be wearing white gloves to handle a concert ledger, to hang in the Powerhouse.”
UNPOPULAR also includes works created by Pav’s collaborators including graphic designers Ben Brown, Cathie Glasby, Paul McNeil and Paul Curtis, photographers Sophie Howarth, Neil Wallace and Piet Weinman, artist Lillian O’Neil and artist and filmmaker Julian Klincewicz.
Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah reflects: “UNPOPULAR looks back at an extraordinary time for live music through the lens of Stephen Pavlovic, telling the story of the international and homegrown musicians and communities that drove the thriving Australian alternative music scene of the 1990s. Pav was there in it all and we are so thankful that he created this important archive that connects us with a time of great creativity.”
To accompany the show, the Powerhouse will also be releasing UNPOPULAR the book, as well as a series of associated workshops and programs.
For more info, you can head here.
Further Reading
The FBI Has Released Its Archival File on Kurt Cobain
Big Day Out Co-Founder Ken West Has Died Aged 64
Kurt Cobain’s ‘Smells LIke Teen Spirit’ Guitar Is Up For Auction
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