Exhibitionism is the largest touring experience of its kind ever to be staged, and the first time in history the band has unlocked their vast private archive exploring the very beginning of their history to the Stones’ superstardom of today.
Not only were they legendary rock stars of their time, they managed to turn their stage into the world’s largest runway. Long before FTV, YouTube and Instagram, for decades, many international designers flocked to dress these outlandish performers because everyone took note!
Destination NSW, in conjunction with global promoter TEG Live and Australian-based producer iEC Exhibitions! brings “EXHIBITIONISM: THE ROLLING STONES EXHIBIT” to Sydney’s International Convention Centre from from 17 November to 3 February 2019. Tickets are now available at Ticketek.
NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “We are delighted to provide fans with the opportunity to see the Stones’ collection in our Harbour City – the only Australian stop on Exhibitionism’s global tour. The exhibit has been immensely popular where it has toured internationally, drawing huge crowds, and as an experience exclusive to Sydney we anticipate it will drive $35 million in visitor expenditure to NSW.”
An extensive collection of memorabilia and specially constructed recreations will give us an unparalleled insight into the artistic vision of the Rolling Stones. “Delivering more than 500 rare and priceless artefacts on behalf of the band is both an honour and a recognition of DHL’s worldwide expertise.” said Gary Edstein, CEO/ Senior Vice President, DHL Express Oceania said.
Some of the rare items on show include:
– Vintage guitar gallery, rare instruments and lyric books, backstage and touring paraphernalia, album art, photography, stage design and personal diaries and letters
– 50 years of Stones fashion spanning from the 1960’s to the present, with articles from designers including Alexander McQueen, Prada, Dior, Gucci, Hedi Slimane, Ossie Clark, L’Wren Scott, Mr Fish and many more with contributions from Anna Sui, John Varvatos and Tommy Hilfiger
– 190 original artworks including Andy Warhol, David Bailey, John Pasche, Walton John, Shepard Fairey, Michael Cooper, Christian Piper, Robert Frank and many more
– Interactive sound mixing decks and recording studio, a screening cinema narrated by Martin Scorsese and video experiences throughout, all culminating in an immersive backstage recreation leading to a 3D concert finale.
It’s set to be a spectacular display bringing together lovers of music, art and fashion. “We’ve been thinking about this for quite a long time but we wanted it to be just right and on a large scale,” said the Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger. “It’s not going to be like walking into a museum. It’s going to be an event, an experience. It’s about a sense of The Rolling Stones – it’s something we want people to go away talking about it.”
“While this is about The Rolling Stones, it’s not necessarily only just about us,” said the Rolling Stones’ guitarist Keith Richards. “It’s also about all the paraphernalia and technology associated with a group like us, and it’s this, as well as the instruments that have passed through our hands over the years, that should make the exhibition unforgettable.”
“Exhibitionism is a celebration and thematic exploration of the creative life of a band that has managed both to stay current and stay true to its artistic vision for more than half a century,” said curator Ileen Gallagher.
The original works of key collaborators who helped to make the band not just musical but cultural icons are also on display, including Andy Warhol, John Pasche, who designed the band’s iconic tongue logo, fashion designers Ossie Clark and Alexander McQueen, artist Shepard Fairey, producer Don Was, and film director Martin Scorsese.
(Richard Wilkins, Entertainment Reporter & Geoff Jones, CEO TEG Live)
Exhibitionism gives visitors a look back at the high points of the band’s career through a new film, with a high-octane soundtrack. It then steps back into the early days, to an amazing recreation of the Edith Grove flat that Jagger and Richards shared in 1962. The flat was located just off the King’s Road in London’s Chelsea neighborhood.
There is a recreation of a Stones’ recording studio complete with their original instruments, plus a “backstage” area to give fans a sense of what it truly feels like just before the band heads out on stage. A guitar gallery brings together examples of some of Richards, Wood and Jagger’s prized instruments, including a rosewood Fender Telecaster and a Maton that Richards played on Let It Bleed, which famously disintegrated as he reached the final notes of ‘Gimme Shelter.’
Other unique items include the cassette player on which Richards famously sketched out the idea for ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,’ just before falling asleep in a Florida motel room, Jagger’s lyric book which features the hand written words for ‘Miss You,’ ‘Hey Negrita’ and ‘Worried About You,’ Richard’s 1963 diary, and the toy drum kit that Watts used in the recording of ‘Street Fighting Man.’
Secure tickets here:
Photo Credits: Christopher Sykes, Helmut Newtown, Phillip Townsend, Anita Munoz