Beat Positive
Various Artists Getty Images Gallery, 46 Eastcastle Street, W1W 8DX 1 JUNE – 4 AUGUST Free
Iconic images and never seen before exclusives: Beat Positive explores images of hip hop culture around the East Coast between 1982-1993. Held in small but neat Getty Images Gallery, Beat Positive is a handpicked selection by gallery curator Shawn Waldron and gives us an insight into the fashion, culture and overall vibe of Hip Hop in its earliest days.
The exhibition is split into four main parts: turntablism, MC’ing, graffiti and break dancing. The images are predominantly centred around portraiture and the subjects body language appears largely similar. The subjects are seen with outstretched arms, hand signalling or stood proudly, up straight, shoulders back – like symbols of power. For, these subjects were symbols of power: god-like music heroes of their time with a loyal following watching their every move.
The photographs are a mixture of both black & white and colour. Whilst I usually prefer the simplicity and lighting of a black and white image, it was the colour images in this exhibition which stood out. My favourite was titled A Tribe Called Quest and displayed some Hip Hop inspired youths in the most fabulous vibrant clothes; positioned as if on an album cover with sombre, menacing looks on their faces. Hip Hop was not only a musical movement, but a fashion statement too and I think that it is the clothes which make this image so striking. Whatsmore, the boys featured appear to be so young, but with a comical look of authority, obviously believing they are far beyond their years.
The exhibition is largely composed of well-known photographs taken by Janette Beckman and David Corio. Janette Beckman’s image of Michael Jonzun stands out not only for his ridiculous attire (knee high gold boots and a yellow judges wig), but also for the hefty price tag attached to it of £3,600. If that seems as ridiculous to you as I then fear not: images from the exhibition are available to purchase as prints, starting at £75. The exhibition also featured a video documenting various famous faces and movements in the Hip Hop culture at this time. It is set to a background of early releases and is a nice addition, providing relevant background music to browse the photos.
Beat positive is overall a worthwhile look into one of the most popular genres of music. The images do not largely differ from one another, and they do not carry a hidden message or artistic agenda. The images are simply documentation of the birth of hip hop, but they are fun and vibrant, and you will leave satisfied.
OVERALL RATING: ***
http://www.gettyimagesgallery.com/exhibitions/archive/beat-positive.aspx
