Collective Effervesence – group exhibition curated by Hope Holmes

Collective Effervescence is an exhibition that celebrates the power of live music, its atmosphere and the beauty of the collective experience.

From 30 April to 5 May, photographers and artists working in the music industry will be coming together to show their work at Wasp Studios, South Block Gallery in Glasgow, in an exhibition titled Collective Effervescence. Participating artists are: Alannah Stirling, Barry Douglas, Dale Harvey, Diana Dumi, Elliot Hetherton, Euan Robertson, Hope Holmes, Isla Kerr, Jack Geddes, Jos Hurley, Laura Hegarty, Maia Allison, Niamh Campbell, Niamh McInally, Rachel Cuthbert, Reanne McArthur, Ryan Johnston, Serena Milesi, Tim Craig, Yuxin Zhang and Zoe Wallace.

Collective Effervescence is a celebration of the power of live music, its atmosphere and the beauty of the collective experience.

Work will be exhibited by over twenty artists, all working within live music here in Scotland, at a variety of different levels. This event gives artists from all stages of their career, the chance to show their work physically, in print, away from social media. Work encompasses the feelings of togetherness, energy and beauty that are experienced within these live music environments.

This exhibition follows on from a solo project by organiser and curator Hope Holmes. Working as a photographer within the music industry fostered an interest in documenting and studying fan culture, community, and identity. Hope decided to pursue this further through a group exhibition, collaborating with other photographers and artists.

The title Collective Effervescence is in reference to a sociological concept coined by Emile Durkheim in the early 20th Century. It is used to describe ‘the considerably amplified emotional state manifested by the participants of a collective assembly’. It often involves singing in unison, chants, movement, and dance, as well as sharing emotions and feeling part of something greater than oneself. This level of connection and community is commonly found at music concerts, sports matches, and other social events.

Collective Effervescence is a form of light and escapism, in the sometimes dark and uncertain world that we live in.