On October 25th Union Black contributed to the Victoria & Albert Museum’s renowned Friday Late programme. The V&A’s Back to the 80s was held in conjunction with their ongoing Club to Catwalk exhibition (until February 16th, 2014).
Union Black created 'Just an Illusion' especially for 'Back to the 80s'. It expanded on the earlier V&A commission, 'From the Decks to the Runway' exploring music subcultures by looking at the same but from a vibrant, visual, perspective.
Reviving previous collaborations with performance troupe The Immaculate Extremists and students from London College of Fashion’s BA (Hons) Make Up and Prosthetics for Performance, Just an Illusion saw the Immaculate Extremists walking and dancing among the museum’s guests, decked out in classic 80s club-wear and striking make-up.
The Immaculate’s tangible presence sought to remind visitors that for some the 1980s London club-goer’s uniform could be as outlandish and as variable as the club they attend. Ultimately, though, it was really all just an illusion: everyone was seeking recreational social and sartorial inclusion. Even by being ‘different’.