Velvet Underground: New York Extravaganza
Previously on 30 March – 21 August 2016 at Philharmonie de Paris
Fifty years after the release of Velvet Underground’s first album, this exhibition at the Philharmonie de Paris explores the history of one of the most influential bands in the history of rock. The retrospective delves into the fascinating roots of the group, weaving in stories of Andy Warhol’s Factory era and the rise of the Beat Generation, to present vivid insight into the evolution of America’s post-war cultural landscape.
Despite a relatively short career, Lou Reed and his band influenced generations of musicians, including Iggy Pop and David Bowie, and the exhibition presents a brilliant opportunity to rediscover their original hits, including ‘Heroin’ and ‘Venus in Furs’. Expect more than just history though; the line-up also includes concerts with John Cale and Rodolphe Burger, as well as conferences and workshops that will let you relive the good old days of being a rock star in the Big Apple.
Price Adult: €10 / Adult Guided tour: €10 Member: €8 Reduced Rate for Under 26s: €5 Reduced Rate for Youth ages 26 – 28: €8 Free Admission: Under 6s, Friends of the PdP, Disabled Visitors and Companion Under 26/28s receive a reduction of 20% on all workshops.
A multimedia exhibition included
Six films produced and directed especially for the exhibition
Underground art films
Edward English - Alexander Keewatin Dewdney - Gerard Malanga - Marie Menken Barbara Rubin - Andy Warhol - Danny Williams TV archives
Hundreds of images Pictures taken by some of the photographers who witnessed the band’s meteoric career
Nat Finkelstein - Donald Greenhaus - Lisa Law - Fred W. McDarrah Gerard Malanga - Billy Name - Adam Ritchie - Steve Schapiro Stephen Shore...
Rare archives contributed by many lenders and collectors
The work of contemporary artists inspired by the Velvet Underground
Antoine d’Agata - Léo Dorfner - Nan Goldin - Douglas Gordon John Giorno - João Louro - Guy Peellaert - Alain Séchas Jean-Luc Verna - Gus Van Sant...
Portraits of the band's members
Lou Reed - John Cale - Sterling Morrison - Maureen Tucker - Nico
As well as those who together made the underground New York
Candy Darling - Allen Ginsberg - Piero Heliczer - Angus MacLise Gerard Malanga - Jonas Mekas - Barbara Rubin - Edie Sedgwick Andy Warhol - Danny Williams - La Monte Young...
The Velvet Underground - New York Extravaganza offers a six-step path to grasp both a mythical band and time.
1. WELCOME TO AMERICA 2. REED & CALE, THE CHILDHOOD OF ART 3. NEW YORK SPIRIT 4. THE FACTORY YEARS 5. REINVENTIONS OF THE VELVET UNDERGROUND 6. ECHOS & HERITAGE
Additional activities: Film screenings & film conferences Music making workshops – ages 15+ Talks and debates Promenade concert – Velvet @ The Museum (€7) A series of accompanying Concerts
Philharmonie de Paris Teaser Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N35K176QUbk&feature=youtu.be
Velvet Underground Weekends: John Cale, Television, Rodolphe Burger, Mathieu Bauer, Étienne Jaumet & Sonic Boom... Several concerts organized during two special week-ends, to enhance your experience about Velvet Underground's universe.
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND WEEKEND - 1
2-5 APRIL 2016 - Lou Reed and John Cale created The Velvet Underground in 1965. This weekend presents different perspectives on the history of a singular band, by those who lived it and their successors.
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND WEEKEND - 2
21-22 MAY 2016 - A second weekend dedicated to The Velvet Underground, with a tribute to La Monte Young, previously unreleased films by Warhol, and a Parisian accolade orchestrated by Rodolphe Burger.
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND WEEKEND - 3 John Cale concert
3 APRIL 2016 - John Cale plays The Velvet Underground and Nico, accompanied by a host of special guests.
Nicolas Rouvière - Exhibition design
Relevant upcoming events:
John Cale (2018-1964): A Futurespective at the Barbican With the London Contemporary Orchestra
9-10 March 2018 £35 - £45 https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2018/event/john-cale
Since before his time as the Velvet Underground’s Avant-Gardist-in-residence, Cale has been a totally uncompromising artist, embracing manifold musical approaches across his remarkable career. Tonight, joined by the LCO, he's exploring the enormous scope of his musical output; playing selections from the Velvet Underground, the proto-minimalist songs of The Dream Syndicate – his collaboration with La Monte Young and others – and the richly enigmatic music from his landmark solo albums.
His is a difficult career to summarise succinctly – who else could have collaborated with both Terry Riley and the Happy Mondays? He’s a Classical composer and Pop genius; virtuosic violist and vitriolic Rock’n’Roller; moody Drone artist and pastoral Welsh songwriter.
Radio programme - Femme Fatale: The Story of Nico on BBC4 Extra http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00gd1t0
Marc Riley tells the story of Christa Paffgen, the German model and actress who would become better known as Nico, the singer with influential 1960s rock band The Velvet Underground. Featuring interviews with her son Ari; her manager during her time in Manchester, Alan Wise; her biographer Richard Witts and John Cale, one of her colleagues in The Velvet Underground; and James Young, author and musician who worked with Nico for six years.
Nat Finkelstein
Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol, 1989
Guy Peellaert,
The Velvet Underground by from Rock Dreams (1970-1973).