Rolling Stones unveil Exhibitionism retrospective at Saatchi Gallery
Show features more than 500 artifacts drawn from the iconic band's personal archives
The Rolling Stones took a walk down memory lane inside London's Saatchi Gallery on Monday to help unveil Exhibitionism, a major retrospective show about the iconic British rock band.
The show tracks the group's rise from one-time former 1960s blues band to international rock phenomenon and includes a treasure trove of more than 500 original artifacts drawn from the Rolling Stones' private archives.
Described as an "immersive, multimedia experience," the retrospective weaves together never-before-seen dressing room paraphernalia, rare and valuable instruments, outrageous costumes, personal diaries, rare audio tracks, unique video footage and poster and album artwork.
"I knew the Rolling Stones had a warehouse where they had kept a lot of their personal artifacts, memorabilia, famous instruments and the like," Australian rock promoter Tony Cochrane, the show's executive producer, said Monday, a day before the show's public opening.
"But no one could have known how enriched the collection was."
The exhibition features some incredible attention to detail: including a recreation of the music studio where they recorded many early hits as well as a life-size recreation of the unappealing, cluttered Chelsea apartment the band members once shared.
"It was a hovel," Richards is heard saying on a recording.
Exhibition curator Ileen Gallagher noted the band members were "pretty astonished" by the result.
"Although Mick said it wasn't quite that messy."'
Monday's opening attracted a star-studded list of initial visitors.
Along with band members Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, actress Natalie Dormer, singer James Bay and children of the rock quartet (including Georgia May Jagger and Jesse Wood) were among those who attended.
Exhibitionism continues at the Saatchi Gallery until September 4. Afterward, it will continue on to tour galleries and cultural venues around the globe over the next four years.
With files from The Associated Press