Smith & Lyall – Music Response 001

“Surreal shop dummies and mind-bending visuals on the High Street”

MUSIC RESPONSE 001 is the first in a series of art installations by Smith & Lyall, the artists behind the epic, surreal visuals for The Chemical Brothers live show. These exhibitions see their work for the iconic show re-imagined in different contexts.

In this first incarnation of MUSIC RESPONSE, a collection of costumes and films from The Chemical Brothers visuals will be exhibited in the unlikely setting of an empty shop on the high street of Wincanton, Somerset. The show is in collaboration with costume designer Kate Tabor who, with her team, hand made all the outfits. The costumes were co-designed by Smith & Lyall and Somerset resident Kate Tabor.

For three weeks in October visitors and passers-by will unexpectedly encounter extraordinary, dream-like characters through the windows of this re-purposed shop. Although some of the costumes were shown at the Design Museum in London as part of the landmark Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers exhibition in 2021, the majority are on public view for the first time.

“We’re using the windows for their original use of getting the attention of passers-by, but with the aim of adding something surprising to their day which inspires or entertains them, rather than trying to sell them something.’ (Smith & Lyall)

Inside the shop are more costumes, masks and an exclusive new audio-visual installation by Smith & Lyall and The Chemical Brothers featuring a track from their new album For That Beautiful Feeling which was released to huge critical acclaim earlier this month.

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