Take Me Underground
BFA Thesis Exhibition
The basement has long been a safe haven for the music community, a space where people can feel free to express themselves and create without fear of judgement. These subterranean venues, marked by their raw, unpolished aesthetic, serve as a gathering place for creatives to share their passion. In the comfort of a basement, boundaries between performer and audience are blurred, giving space to connection and alliance, where people come together drawn by a shared love for music.
I have long been a disciple of live music, and eager to discover a community dedicated to creating spaces for live events. While Bloomington’s underground music culture has thrived for decades, my personal involvement has been defined by a desire to capture and honor the fleeting nature of these experiences. This collection of posters reflects the memories, connections, and emotions I’ve experienced through house shows in Bloomington. They represent not only the joy and belonging I’ve felt in these spaces, but also the discomfort, isolation, and vulnerability that can arise in such intimate environments. Through both the beautiful and the ugly, live music has remained a constant source of connection, offering me a unique sense of community and camaraderie.
The collection of 50 posters presented here reflects my love for physical memorabilia and the desire to archive the ephemeral nature of these experiences. I’ve always found joy in collecting tangible slivers of the past, reminders of moments of great significance. My process of creating heavily relies on nostalgia, archiving and honoring a culture that thrives in the underground, preserving the spirit of DIY spaces, and marking my personal journey as a participant in this community. The use of letterpress embraces the intimacy of handcraft that frequents underground spaces. My time spent designing and printing each poster reflects the care and attention I’ve devoted to preserving and celebrating our local music culture.
Experience the last four years of Bloomington’s underground music scene as captured through these posters. Each one tells the story of a unique live music experience of dancing, of vulnerability, and of connection, capturing not just an event but the emotions and energy that made it meaningful. As you engage with these pieces, you’ll find the power of physicality, craftsmanship, and the importance of preserving the intangible.