Gorillaz – House of Kong review
GORILLAZ – House of Kong Exhibition, Hackney Wick, East London
When Gorillaz arrived on the music scene of the early 2000’s there was really nothing else quite like them. A complex set of cartoon characters, each with their very own unique style and traits, were supposedly behind the laid back beats, melancholy vocals and super cool visuals of a band that captured the zeitgeist of the moment. Rumour quickly transpired into confirmation that the duo of Damon Albarn (Blur) and Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl, and a whole load more) were behind it all.
Albarn and Hewlett may have taken some of the original limelight away from the virtual cartoon members of 2-D, Noodles, Murdoc and Russel Hobbs, but the story has evolved since their debut album was released in 2001 to include over 100 co-conspirators.
Earlier this year a teaser video appeared for House of Kong, an exhibition like no other, promising a look inside the bands home and studio, the House of Kong. This is where it all gets bit difficult to explain. Essentially as part of visiting you are asked to not spoil the surprise for others, so this review will essentially focus on what can be revealed – without revealing much. Sorry about that!
Outside the venue there are a set of promotional posters and the large figure of Pazuzu looming in a doorway. Participants (yes, on entering you are encouraged to get involved) are then taken inside and go around the exhibition in small groups with full narration along the way. If you love the Gorillaz story you’re going to love this. It’s like a real life trip around the bands website when it was all based on the House of Kong. If you don’t know the bands history, there’s a good chance you’re going to love it by the time you exit some 40 minutes later,
The soundtrack is immersive, the art stunning and the creativity off the hook and I’m sorry, but that’s all I’m going to say.
Near the end you are reunited with the camera on your phone and that gives you the opportunity to take some snaps of maybe my favourite exhibit – a 3D rendition of the island on the cover of Plastic Beach. Beautifully rendered, with a myriad of tiny details, it’s a real star of the show. Elsewhere you can find more Gorillaz artwork, merchandise and photos of all the contributors.
It’s twenty five years since the creative genius of the Gorillaz was unleashed upon an unsuspecting public, a quarter of a century on the story of Russel, Murdoc, 2D and Noodles has only become more complete, more immersive and more relevant than ever before.
Tickets still available on House of Kong, but be quick, the show ends in early September.
