Studio 54

From the moment it opened in 1977, Studio 54 celebrated spectacle and promised a never-ending parade of anything goes. Although it existed for only three years, it served as a catalyst that brought together some of the most famous, creative, and strangest people in the world. It quickly became known for its all-ages celebrity guest list and its uniquely chic clientele of superstars and freaks of all races and sexual preferences who would often show up half-dressed or in costume. From the cutting-edge lighting displays and sound system, to its elaborate sets that would change on a whim, altering the environment and ambiance, it was the beginning of nightclub as performance art. Now, the Brooklyn Museum is staging the first exhibition featuring the nightclub as a bellwether of New York City cultural life. More than 650 objects-spanning fashion, photography, drawings, film, and music-will tell the story of this legendary club, with an exhibition design inspired by the club's original lighting and ambiance. Highlights include original and never-before-published costume sketches by artist Antonio Lopez and newly discovered set designs, as well as ephemera salvaged by the original club staff. The catalogue is presented as an oversize paperback broadsheet resembling the iconic publications of the day, Interview Magazine and Night Magazine. Depicting glittering nostalgia and star-studded debauchery, Studio 54: Night Magic also weaves together interviews with the cultural luminaries who were there, depicting the wild energy and provocative creativity of the era.