Beyond the Streets have cemented their reputation as a global authority among meticulous curated art and programming. Activating globally across Los Angeles, New York, London, and Shanghai, Beyond the Streets have evolved from passionate art collective to thriving international movement, revered for their comprehensive exhibitions and an an ethos that regards art as both its resistance and narrative.
Beyond the Streets' latest curated deep dive, exploring the subversive art, gamechanging music and DIY ethos of the Scumdogs of the Universe in GWAR. LET THERE BE GWAR recently opened in Los Angeles and will enjoy a limited run through November 2nd.
The comprehensive retrospective exhibition boast the most complete collection of GWAR artifacts ever assembled. The gallery is transformed entirely into the universe created by GWAR over the span of the last forty years featuring handcrafted costumes, instruments, weaponry and stage props, as well as video installations, monumental set pieces, spew tanks, a monster toilet, artwork, and rare Easter eggs intended to connect with GWAR diehards.
Framing the social significance and the lasting legacy of GWAR, the exhibition begins by recounting GWAR's origin story as group of RIchmond art punks who first assembled in an abandoned dairy. From their humble start in 1984, the ever-evolving entity has since become a generational pillar of heavy music and absurdist theater driven by a unique DIY DNA that still defines the band in the modern day.
GWAR shared, “For 40 years, GWAR have mounted a misanthropic critique of American culture dressed up as shock rock. This collection of artifacts offers a sense of the unique punk-inspired anti-art aesthetics of underground comics, science fiction fandom, role-playing games, and satirical splatter flick nerdishness at the heart of the band.”
LET THERE BE GWAR curator Roger Gastman also weighed in, “This isn’t just a music exhibition. GWAR represents one of the most successful long-term art collectives in American culture, and their influence on both underground and mainstream entertainment is undeniable. They came to destroy... and ended up creating something eternal.”
Paired with the launch of the exhibition, BEYOND THE STREETS and GWAR will release a co-branded collection. Anchoring the collection will be a new expanded version of the sold-out 400-page book – 'LET THERE BE GWAR' which comes with a limited edition 7” record, a collection book of GWAR's classic Mind Control Monthly newsletters, exclusive apparel, limited edition prints and more.
Photographer Maurice Nunez was on hand for the gallery's opening festivties which included guest appearances from the Scumdogs themselves along with special guests like Robert Trujillo of the mighty Metallica. See the gallery of images below.
LET THERE BE GWAR will be on view through November 2nd. Beyond the Streets is located at 434 N La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA. Get additional info - HERE
