THE FEEL GOOD INSTITUTE
A Multi-Sensory Experience by various artists
The experiential Feel Good Institute set out to banish negativity and bring good vibes to all. Visitors were invited to journey through a series of specially curated rooms, each featuring a joyful multi-sensory experience. Visitors could see LOVE all around everywhere they looked after a video projection imprinted their retina with the word (by Hideyuki Sawayanagi); visit a spectral midnight rainbow to make a wish (by Alistair McClymont) and experience the therapeutic effects of sound and light frequencies (by the Silvern Collective). After releasing endorphins, throwing some shapes in the Rave Room and seeing Dr Leon at the surgery for a Be Better chip implant (a theatrical simulation), they could then become a special agent for the Society of Nice -spreading ‘nice-ness’ around the world. Artists Bompas & Parr also treated visitors to a wormwood, burdock and birch sap shot – an energising elixir to exercise and excite the taste-buds. And SmileyWorld (the originators of the Smiley face and creators of the world’s first 3D emoticons) also designed unique Smileys for the Feel Good Institute and the public realm in central London.
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Lastly, The Feel Good Institute encompassed a series of ‘Summer of Love’ events from notorious godfathers of the Manchester rave scene, The Donnelly Brothers and YOUTH CLUB Archive – made up of three brands synonymous with this era (Gio Goi, Roland, and SmileyWorld). Between them they co-curated a series of events that played homage to 1988 and 1989 via interactive light and electronic music installations and special events.
Date 21 days in June/July 2018
Location A disused print works, 183 Union Street, Borough, London, SE1 0LN
Future Plans Currently being developed into The Feel Good Experience, due to launch in the spring 2021.
Commissioned and Produced by Illuminate Productions in partnership with Better Bankside, Tate Modern and Southwark Council.
Kindly supported by SmileyWorld Ltd, DPL Production Lighting and Halo Lighting.
Installations included
Everything we are Capable of Seeing
by Alistair McClymont
Renowned installation artist Alistair McClymont created a spectral midnight rainbow. The interactive rainbow in a room filled with ethereal mist, allowed visitors to interpret things in a different light, as colours dispersed then reappeared as they moved through the installation. McClymont re-created a rainbow in the dark to reduce it to its most simple and visible elements. Visitors could see their own individual rainbow and reflect on their hopes and new beginnings. Rainbows have made appearances in folk law since the beginning of storytelling, they are a symbol of positivity - ‘over the rainbow.’
About the artist
Alistair McClymont often creates artworks through collaboration with scientists. He sees a close link with the way artists and scientists view the world. He has worked with meteorologists, a nuclear physicist and at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre in Washington using their ocean weather data and sunlight data. McClymont's previous work includes a 10ft high man-made tornado.
“Brilliant and moving – lifts the spirits and will stick deep in memory. Best thing I’ve seen in ages! ”
You Will Be Possessed By Love In 30 Seconds
by Hideyuki Sawayanagi
At first glance, the piece seems like a simple video projection without sound in a dark room. A title appeared followed by a 30-second countdown and one quick flash left you with LOVE in your eyes. The word remained imprinted on the viewer’s retina, changing colour for several minutes. Wherever you looked ‘LOVE’ was all around.
About the artist
Hideyuki Sawayanagi is an award-winning Japanese artist known for his engaging light installations and incredible half-tone photographs, created by drilling hundreds of small holes at variable widths into sheets of aluminium. Hideyuki has a background in Economics as well as an MA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College London.
“I’m still smiling! Fab!”
OSCILLATE: WAVE NO.1
by Silvern Collective
Inspired by the therapeutic effects of sound and light frequencies, Oscillate: Wave No.1, took you on a journey of well-being. Participants were placed in a cocoon of light where they were transported into a visual and aural trip of relaxation as the sonic waves washed over them.
The Silvern Collective combined ancient mythology and technology to create this visceral sound and light installation. Light and sound are important to our health and how we relate to the world. The Silvern Collective's aim was to positively raise our state of feeling by introducing us to resonant frequencies that are known to revitalise humans.
About the artists
The Silvern Collective are an elusive group of enigmatic artists and musicians with a wealth of professional experience across the arts. Anonymity is essential for the group who keep their identities hidden to add to the mysterious dynamic of their work. Together the Silvern Collective have experience in the arts and music industry, working with Radiohead, Nick Cave, The Prodigy, Paul Weller, Spiritualised and Metallica, among others.
“Amazing! Almost impossible to leave the Oscillate room. We are reborn. ”
DR LEON: Neural Enhancement
by various artists
An Interactive theatrical experience where 20-minute sessions were booked in advance for the Dr Leon’s Better Chip, the pinnacle of neural wellbeing treatments. The implanted happy chip encouraged positive behaviour to help patients discover their better self. The aim was to bring out the very best in participants and gently eliminate negativity.
‘Patients’ were seen by surgery staff which included a tailored BetterTM life consultation, personal sedative creation, the BetterTM Chip installation procedure and an exit meditation.
About
Starring: Miranda Mac Letten, Fania Grioriou, Flavia Bertram, James Carney, Omar Gordon and the voice of Rosemary Rance. Director and designer: Sofi Lee-Henson; camera and editor: Alexandre Do; Sound designer: Emmet O'Donnell. Lighting Designer: Ben Kearney; costume: Lauren Bridle; sound recording: Irfan Hassan.
“Totally insane and worthwhile experience. Great Friday lunch break surprise. Thanks very much! ”
Wormwood, Burdock and Birch sap shot
by Bompas and Parr
An energising elixir designed to exercise and excite participants taste-buds. Millions of sensory receptors in the mouth work in tandem with the brain to alert you to the nature of what you’re about to consume - which could potentially place you in danger. Danger excites the brain. Bompas & Parr explored healthy body frequencies and the elusive and mysterious wormwood herb. Wormwood, burdock and birch sap shooters were served from a Chaldni Punchbowl which emits a 25Hz frequency, enabling guests to visualise the frequency of their drink.
About the artists
Bompas & Parr Studio is globally recognised as the leading expert in multi-sensory experience design.
“Excellent work – beautifully installed – uncanny and humorous, and hosted by brilliant people. ”
The Society of Nice
by various artists
With the world in such a terrible state, the formerly secret Society of Nice were resident at The Feel-Good Institute at unexpected times in order to recruit new un-expecting members. If you passed their rigorous training process, you were invited to be one of their agents and spread niceness around the world.
About the artists
Created by the cast from an original idea by Jinni Lyons and Katy Schutte, performed by Jinni Lyons, Helen Foster and Jonah Fazel. The Society of Nice is a rotating collective of performers, directors, Improvisers and comedians with a shared loved of creative live theatre playing with audience agency and immersive experience. The cast includes; Jonah Fazel - (BAFTA Winning History Bombs, CBeebies, Bumper Blyton Improvised Adventure); Jinni Lyons - (Jinni Lyons is an Only Child, Destination podcast, London and Liverpool Improvathons); Vicki Hawley- (Oxford Imps, Adventures of the improvised Sherlock Holmes); Toby Trimby - (The Flying Seagull Project, Craft Theatre, Bitesize Theatre, Wessex Actors Company).
“Fantastic. Original and amusing. Loved it! ”
Summer of Love
by the Donnelly Brothers, SmileyWorld and Youth Club Archive
Visitors could travel back in time to the 1988 Summer of Love with an interactive light and electronic music installation, where participants could dance their heart out to celebrate the 30th anniversary. The hedonism and rebellion of the times were recalled with a collection of photos and posters throughout the space.
The three brands most synonymous with the era - Gio Goi, Roland and Smiley - joined forces with YOUTH CLUB Archive to co-curate a series of events that paid homage to this unforgettable era and spreading these collective memories to party-goers today, including a premiere screening of They Call It Acid.
Events included
A masterclass of the Roland TB-03 with A Guy Called Gerald
A Guy Called Gerald is one of the UK’s finest, most respected, innovative and forward thinking home-grown electronic music producers. He discussed his involvement in the Acid House era and how the technology and collaborations with brands, such as Roland, made an impressive impact on the music scene. Product Specialist for Roland Corporation, David Ahlund, gave a masterclass of the TR-8S, the main focus being the TB-03 (Acid!) and talked about the history behind Roland’s part in the genre.
In 1981 Roland Corporation released the TB-303, the bass guitar simulator, soon found a surprising new job in the hands of DJ Pierre and A Guy Called Gerald. Acid House as we knew it was born. Breaking beats since 1988, A Guy Called Gerald has been an iconic name in the electronic music scene worldwide for over 25 years.
They Call It Acid
A special event with producer/ director/editor and writer Gordon Mason, who screened a series of clips from his iconic documentary They Call It Acid. The screening was followed by a panel discussion with a number of the UK rave scene originators, who discussed the cultural impact of rave on the evolution of British youth culture over the last three decades. The panel also shared collective memories of the times and the legendary stories of how the originators and followers of the Acid House scene battled with the police and politicians who opposed it. Panel Members: Gordon Mason, Christopher Donnelly, Wayne Anthony, Eddie Richards and Andy Carroll
Summer of Love 88/89
In collaboration with The Donnelly Brothers and Gio-Goi, we closed our series of events celebrating the Summer Of Love 1988 with a festival of ‘Acid House’ music at live music venue, Omeara. It featured DJ sets by some of the biggest names from rave including A Guy Called Gerald, Trevor Fung, Terry Farley, Nancy Noise, Evil Eddie Richards, Andy Carroll, X-Press 2 and Richard Norris.
“Guy called Gerald! What a treat. Definitely worth bunking off work. ”
About Smiley
Smiley, created by Franklin Loufrani in 1972, was adopted by the 1970s as an important symbol of global counter culture, in the 1980’s Smiley’s image was at the forefront of the ‘Acid House’ movement and has grown over 4 decades into an icon of popular culture.
www.smiley.com
About the Donnelly Brothers
Anthony and Christopher Donnelly are the godfathers of the Manchester rave scene, notorious for organising the era’s biggest and best raves and creating the clothing brand, Gio-Goi.
www.gio-goi.com
About Roland
Roland’s role in the evolution of acid house remains legendary today. The term ‘Acid House’ is derived from the memorable squelch created by the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer. Today Roland continues to be one of the world’s leading manufacturers of synthesizers, drum machines and other music production equipment.
www.roland.com/us
About YOUTH CLUB
YOUTH CLUB is a not-for-profit organisation working to preserve, share, educate and celebrate youth culture history through a passionate network of photographers and creatives. It believes in the power of youth culture heritage as a catalyst for creativity, self-expression and connecting communities. YOUTH CLUB works towards its goal to open the world’s first Museum of Youth Culture in London by 2023.
www.youthclubarchive.com
Happy Guy
by Tommo
Whistling from the basement of the Feel Good Institute was Happy Guy, a sound installation that invited participants to look on the sunny side of life, even when things may not look too bright. Happy Guy aimed to elevate and uplift the visitors mood with an infectious song, leaving people humming his upbeat tune indefinitely.
About the artist
Andrew Thomson is a London-based artist, filmmaker and musician with more than 20 years experience creating images and videos for a range of high-profile clients including Saatchi and Saatchi and Tate Modern. AKA Tommo, he also fronts the popular punk band Mouse. He has written, illustrated and published the infamous spoof cookbook, The Credit Munch - a humorous and creative take on cooking.