Following the exhibitions on reggae (“Jamaica Jamaica! From Marley to the Deejays”) in 2017, electro (“Electro. From Kraftwerk to Daft Punk”) in 2019, hip-hop (“Hip-Hop 360”) in 2021, and metal (“METAL. Diabolus in Musica”) in 2024, the Philharmonie de Paris, a haven for music enthusiasts, is extending its exploration of popular music genres with the exhibition “Disco. I’m Coming Out,” which will be open until August 17.
The subtitle, “I’m coming out,” draws inspiration from the iconic 1980 song by Diana Ross, who transitioned from being the muse of the Motown soul label to a celebrated disco icon. The track was crafted by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the guitarist and bassist of the New York band Chic. Rodgers observed that many drag queens in a queer bar resembled Ross, prompting him to send a clear message to the LGBT community. The phrase “coming out” is also a metaphor for revealing one’s true identity.
Read more: Paris Wants Less Visible Trash and More Visible Cops.
This context sets the tone for the Paris exhibition. Once marginalized during its peak and even more so during its decline, disco music was often dismissed as hedonistic and superficial, associated with revelry and physicality, and criticized by those who rallied under the banner “Disco sucks.” The exhibition seeks to reframe this phenomenon within its original context, highlighting its role as a movement for liberation.
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