This is Part 2 of a two-part series chronicling my visit to the EMP Museum in Seattle. This Part 2 feature will focus on the current Music-related exhibits at the museum, while Part 1 has been published on sister site, Original Prop Blog, and that photo journal will cover the Movie-related exhibits. The three current music related exhibits are “Nirvana: Taking Punk To The Masses” and “Worn To Be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket”, as well as a photo exhibit for The Rolling Stones.
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The current movie-related exhibits during my visit this past week were:
- Nirvana: Taking Punk To The Masses
- Can’t Look Away: The Lure of the Horror Film
- The Rolling Stones
Below is the description of the “Nirvana: Taking Punk To The Masses” exhibit from the official www.empsfm.org website:
The world’s most extensive exhibition of memorabilia celebrating the music and history of Seattle grunge luminaries, Nirvana. The exhibit features rare and unseen artifacts and photography from the band, their crews, and families.
Nirvana Oral Histories
The exhibit features 100 new and archived oral histories from key figures in the independent music scene of the late 1980s and early 90s. Check out examples of in-depth interviews with key members in the grunge scene with Nirvana drummer, Chad Channing, and recording engineer, Jack Endino.
Below is the description of the “Worn To Be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket” exhibit from the official www.empsfm.org website:
Harley-Davidson Museum® in partnership with EMP Museum present a dynamic exhibit that traces the path of the leather motorcycle jacket from functional garment to universally recognized symbol of cool rebellion.
Dozens of garments and related artifacts such as iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycles will be on display, from early military jackets, famous Hollywood costumes, and leather jackets worn by stars like Elvis Presley, to haute couture by Jean Paul Gaultier and Gianni Versace.
Below is the description of the Rolling Stones exhibit from the official www.empsfm.org website:
In 1972 music photographer Jim Marshall (1936–2010) was selected by LIFE magazine to cover the Rolling Stones’ tour for Exile on Main St., today widely considered the band’s greatest album.
A discerning photojournalist and pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll photography, Marshall snapped now iconic behind-the-scenes images of members of The Stones hard at work and play. The Rolling Stones 1972, Photographs by Jim Marshall features 37 framed prints of The Stones’ legendary 1972 tour and the original album cover art by Robert Frank for Exile on Main St.
Marshall’s insider status-combined with his keen eye and impeccable timing-has made for some of the most mesmerizing images in the history of rock photography. The Rolling Stones 1972, Photographs by Jim Marshall marks the fiftieth anniversary of this formidable band’s existence, and the first solo museum exhibit of one of the rock world’s foremost image makers.
In conjunction with The Rolling Stones 1972, Photographs by Jim Marshall, San Francisco-based publisher Chronicle Books will release a book of exhibit photographs that includes a forward by Keith Richards.
I’ve been a huge Nirvana fan going back to Nevermind (I didn’t find them until they broke out with “Smells Like Teen Spirit”). Sadly, I only saw them perform live once, though it was an incredible concert, which was the Bosnian Rape Victim Benefit Concert in 1993 (which also included The Breeders and L7) at the Cow Palace in California.
For me, the Nirvana exhibit was the best thing on exhibit with my visit this past weekend, and it was awesome to see all of those artifacts going back as far as Kurt Cobain’s childhood, and it is awesome that all of this material has been collected and preserved.
Overall, it is an extremely impressive museum, even if you never go inside. The building itself is really cool and a piece of art in itself. Inside, it is quite vast, and very modern in appearance and layout. They’ve done a fantastic job in presenting all of the amazing artifacts on display. There are also a number of interactive elements throughout, which adds to (and lengthens) the overall experience.
I had a great time checking out everything the museum has to offer, and give it my highest recommendation to check out if you make it to the Seattle area.
Below are related images from my visit to the EMP Museum this past weekend. Click any image for higher resolution.
Jason DeBord