From the Exhibition: 40 Top Art Events of the Downtown Era: A Timeline, 1974–1992

Edit deAk, Dubbed in Glamour. Poster, Kitchen, 1980

Poster for Edit DeAk’s “Dubbed In Glamour,” The Kitchen, 1980. Design: Edit DeAk, Mike Glier; photograph by Walter Robinson. Size: 21.5 x 16.5 inches.

Some art ephemera ages especially well. One example is this vintage 1980 poster for “Dubbed in Glamour” advertising three nights of performances at the Kitchen in Soho.  This multi-media event produced by art critic Edit DeAk captured the creativity of New York’s downtown club scene with its mix of visual art, fashion, performance, poetry, slide shows, film and music.  Although the poster does not make a point of it, “Dubbed in Glamour” was an all-woman event.

In addition to the “Dubbed in Glamour” poster, Gallery 98 also has a large folded announcement card and press release.  Among those taking the stage at the Kitchen were writer Cookie Mueller, Fun Gallery founder and actress Patti Astor, fashion influencer Anya Phillips, party curator and filmmaker Tina L’Hotsky, club DJs Chi Chi Valenti and Anita Sarko, as well as, projections of a slide show by Nan Goldin and films by Vivienne Dick.

Each night climaxed with a memorable music performance, two of the best fortunately captured on video and preserved. You can view below the first female, emcee-rapper Sha-Rock with the pioneering rap group Funky 4 + 1;  and the post-punk, no wave band, Bush Tetras playing their club hit “Too Many Creeps,” which is now often included in films about New York in the 80s.

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DOWNTOWN ERA EXHIBITION HOMEPAGE

From the Exhibition: 40 Top Art Events of the Downtown Era: A Timeline, 1974–1992