John Leo Gillen's debut monograph remixes the design of temporary utopias from the 60s to today
The book explores the history of these ephemeral spaces in club culture. Told through key venues in important cities and moments across dance music history, it examines the rise of localised scenes and clubs, their distinct designs and architecture – as well as their shifts and demises as tastes, clientele and cities evolve.The Irish-born Gillen studied for a Master's in Ephemeral Architecture and Temporary Spaces at the ELISAVA | School of Design and Engineering in Barcelona. He explains in the book’s introduction: “Club movements are born as causes, in DIY spaces, created out of necessity by marginalised peoples. This often involves some form of ‘hack’ or new model, quickly inspiring copycats and triggering the process of commercialisation.” The full, 240-page monograph was published April 25th by Penguin Random House's Prestel imprint and is available for purchase here.
The book explores the history of these ephemeral spaces in club culture. Told through key venues in important cities and moments across dance music history, it examines the rise of localised scenes and clubs, their distinct designs and architecture – as well as their shifts and demises as tastes, clientele and cities evolve.
The Irish-born Gillen studied for a Master's in Ephemeral Architecture and Temporary Spaces at the ELISAVA | School of Design and Engineering in Barcelona. He explains in the book’s introduction: “Club movements are born as causes, in DIY spaces, created out of necessity by marginalised peoples. This often involves some form of ‘hack’ or new model, quickly inspiring copycats and triggering the process of commercialisation.”
The full, 240-page monograph was published April 25th by Penguin Random House's Prestel imprint and is available for purchase here.
