Rip It Up
National Museums Scotland
Design of the first major exhibition dedicated to Scottish pop music at the National Museum of Scotland. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey exploring over 50 years of Scotland’s musical culture through a wealth of material, much of it loaned directly from the artists themselves.
Combining original stage outfits, instruments, memorabilia, props, film and music, the exhibition celebrates the stories of Scotland’s musicians from influential indie pioneers to global superstars. Rip It Up features global stars and independent local heroes from pop’s early days right up to today’s outstanding newcomers. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey from the days of the dancehalls to the emergence of pop in an explosion of colour in the 60s, through 70s New Wave up to the present day. The exhibition represents the rich diversity of Scottish pop music, not only through profiles and objects, but by using colour, pattern and texture to reflect the different themes and genres. Music and film are carefully integrated throughout, culminating in a ‘live’ immersive music experience.
Featured artists and bands include Lonnie Donegan, Gerry Rafferty, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Lulu, The Rezillos, Midge Ure, Simple Minds, The Skids, Big Country, Garbage, Franz Ferdinand, Young Fathers, amongst others.
Images copyright National Museums Scotland.
A combination of original material and instruments presented in front of
large-scale imagery of the featured artist, give context to the objects.
I can’t recommend the exhibition RIP IT UP highly enough. An engaging and glitzy wander through the history of Pop in Scotland via folk, skiffle, R&B beat, rock, punk, glam, indie, dance, hip hop and more! LOVED The Rezillos bit!
Phill Jupitus, Comedian and Actor
“It’s a must see show – the music, style, costume, energy that makes up Scotland’s story. Congratulations all!”
Fiona Hyslop, MSP,
Cabinet Secretary for Culture
Large contextual wallpapers behind Illuminated loaned objects
with 2D framed material below, are used to create a nightclub atmosphere.
Pops of bright colour with synthetic acrylic give an nostalgic nod to ’70s and ’80s New Wave
together with film presented inside retro television sets.
Open display giant dancing robot stage props form part of the Franz Ferdinand
display with supporting music video content delivered on headsets.
On of the display objects used on Texas’s ‘Inner Smile‘ music video and on tour.
Large-scaled wall graphics reflect the period of the different artists.
“Like Scottish pop itself, this exhibition keeps on giving.”
The Times
“Impressively comprehensive celebration of Scotland’s diverse musical heritage . . . a major cultural event.”
The Scotsman
The exhibition culminates in an immersive ‘live’ gig experience
featuring footage from some of Scotland’s memorable live gigs.
Sloped angular plinths are used to create height and add drama.
Each area of the exhibition features a mixed tape soundtrack creating
a sensory experience and taking visitors back in time.
A digital Jukebox allows visitors to delve deeper into the Scottish Pop back-catalogue.
The ‘Going Global’ area features a backstage setting using a mixture of drapes,
gauze, scaffolding and theatrical lighting.
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