Hennessy: For the Culture
Intriguing exhibition at Somerset House looking at the role of Hennessy cognac in Black culture and in particular in
Grime music.
OK I admit my
knowledge of Grime etc is nil so this could sound like a seriously middle aged
post! The first part of the show were some great photographs of musicians by Olivia Rose alongside good
“Sound Stations” on which music historian Lloyd Bradley talking about the
different styles of music and where it had come from. I must admit those
descriptions when straight over my head!
The second part looked at how the relationship between Hennessy and Black music. It
was originally discovered by US troops in the First World War who took in back
to the jazz clubs of Paris. The company recognised this and aimed its
advertising at the Black middle classes and professionals. There were some
lovely archive examples of this set up in a display like a bar with
high stools. The first section of the
show had talked about the importance of the drink to the current music scene.
Closes 15
September 2019
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