GILLEN, John Leo
Temporary Pleasure. Nightclub Architecture, Design and Culture from the 1960s to Today

Opening with the psychedelic haunts of the 1960s New York pop art scene and closing more than half a century later with the rise of post-club happenings, Temporary Pleasure shows how nightlife spaces have evolved to meet the needs of their generation, and how each generation was seeking something a little different from the one before.

Each chapter of the book focuses on a distinct phase and city: Italy’s politically radical clubs of the ‘60s; New York City’s disco scene; Detroit and Chicago’s house and techno paradises; Ibiza’s counterculture communal retreats; Britain’s rave culture; and Berlin’s techno scene. The clubs come to life in double-page spreads that feature specs and detailed profiles. Author John Leo Gillen offers his take on various important cultural, design and architectural details, while numerous photographs offer their own vibey stories. The book features interviews with people who were involved in a number of the scenes included, from NYC disco mainstay DJ Justin Strauss to Ben Kelly, architect of Manchester’s legendary venue The Haçienda. [publishers’ note]

Published by Prestel, 2023
Exhibition Catalogues / Dance / Design / Architecture / Scenes / Cultural Studies