V&A East's Inaugural Exhibition Celebrates Black British Music's Central Role
The Victoria and Albert Museum's newest branch, V&A East in Stratford, has launched its first exhibition, titled The Music is Black, a comprehensive survey of Black British music. This landmark show, curated by Jacqueline Springer, features over 200 items, tracing the evolution from early African drumbeats to contemporary genres like pop and drill, via jungle, grime, garage, and two-tone.
A Curator's Vision and Institutional Endorsement
Jacqueline Springer, a former journalist turned academic and curator, spent three years assembling the collection, which includes many permanent acquisitions for the V&A. However, some pieces, such as an outfit worn by Pauline Black, lead singer of the 2 Tone group the Selector, remain on temporary loan. "She wants them back," Springer remarked with mock frustration, highlighting the challenges of securing iconic artifacts.
Springer emphasizes that the exhibition represents a significant institutional shift. "Institutionally, it's an endorsement," she stated. "The V&A has recognised that black music is worthy of this kind of coverage." This show builds on previous exhibitions like the British Library's Beyond the Bassline and the Barbican's survey of Black London's musical landscape, but Springer argues that The Music is Black presents the story on a much larger scale.
Expanding the Narrative of British Music
The exhibition's scope is vast, starting with a drum sculpture by Ben Enwonwu and extending to a new work by Turner prize nominee Rene Matić. By placing these items in the same institutional context as blockbuster shows like the V&A's Cartier exhibition, the museum aims to elevate Black British music to a central position in the UK's cultural history.
Gus Casely-Hayford, the V&A East's artistic director, explained the broader mission: "What happens so often is that British music is presented as important but marginal. What we have tried to do here is say this is our story, and it's one of our major contributions to the world." This effort aligns with external trends, such as the 30th anniversary of the Mobo awards, Black acts dominating the Brits, and research indicating that Black music generated 80% of the UK industry's revenue over the past three decades.
Highlights and Community Impact
Notable items in the exhibition include Stormzy's 2019 Glastonbury vest and Hewan Clarke's Blue Spot radiogram, the latter acquired to honor overlooked pioneers. Karen Gabay, a Mancunian DJ and journalist, noted the focus on lesser-known figures, quoting Norman Jay: "There aren't that many household names here, but there are a lot of pioneers."
The exhibition has drawn large crowds, with hundreds queuing for the official launches. However, it has not been without controversy. Campaign groups have organized an open letter to V&A director Tristram Hunt, calling for all museum workers to be paid a living wage, garnering over 21,000 signatures.
Architectural and Economic Context
V&A East, designed by O'Donnell & Tuomey at a cost of £135 million, has been described as a "protective jacket" but has faced mixed reviews, with some critics labeling it "ugly" or "perverse." Despite this, the Guardian praised it as a triumph. The museum is part of the V&A's ongoing expansion, which includes the Storehouse, Young V&A in Bethnal Green, and V&A Dundee.
As the V&A East opens its doors, The Music is Black stands as a bold statement in the museum's efforts to innovate and redefine cultural narratives, ensuring that Black British music is recognized as an integral part of the nation's heritage.
