The Rock & Roll Public Library

A treasure trove of popular culture is washing up on the banks of Venice’s grand waterways this May with the opening of The Rock and Roll Public Library during the 56th Venice Biennale. A site-specific installation exploring the notion of archive as art, the library is a curated selection taken from the impressive archive of iconic musician and producer Mick Jones of The Clash collected over the past 40 plus years.

Curated collectively by Jones himself, James Putnam and Lauren Jones (Alteria Art), the library represents just the tip of the iceberg of The Clash songwriter’s full archive. Spread over three rooms, the exhibition will feature wall-mounted installations, a 1970s music listening booth, display cases decorated with vibrant collages whilst records, stage outfits and other punk-era clothing will hang from the ceiling. The final room will aim to recreate Jones‘ own living room, offering an insight into how the archive itself has materialised. Visitors will be able to interact with the archive from its collector’s perspective—as if in the home of a good friend.

This physical interaction with the materials evokes memories and recollections, personal emotions and unique attachments in each visitor.

This edition of The Rock and Roll Public Library is supported by Dr.Martens, with additional backing from Les Inrockuptibles and London College of Fashion, UAL. The launch is kindly supported by The Hard Rock Cafe, Venice.