Coinciding with Atoms For Peace’s first ever performances in the United Kingdom, the band created an exhibition in cooperation with artist Stanley Donwood. The creative head behind just about every cover art of British rock band Radiohead is also responsible for the artwork of Atoms For Peace’s debut album "Amok". For those not in the know, Atoms For Peace was founded in 2009 by a number of musicians including Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea and Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke.
The pop-up exhibition took place upstairs at The Enterprise; a pub opposite London’s famed Roundhouse venue which hosted the band’s three shows from the 24th – 27th of July. Transformed into a kind of black and white psychedelic space, the exhibition room was covered in Donwood’s illustrations and even the furniture merged with the walls. The gallery simultaneously served as a shop where visitors could purchase anything from the Amok album, handmade vinyl, printed t-shirts and Levi’s jeans as well as other memorabilia. Its highlight was the silk screen printing press used to print posters for sale live and on-site. For those willing to spend more than £15 on a poster, the Drawing Room also featured a small variety of Donwood’s linocut prints starting at £100 and going up to £562. Considering the artist’s current momentum, however, their value will probably triple by the time Atoms For Peace releases their follow-up CD. What turned the exhibition into an experience was the rebellious yet inviting atmosphere emanating from the clash of visual impulses and their political implications perfectly reflected by Atoms For Peace’s creed "Nuclear Power? No thanks".
