Honey Dijon curates exhibition celebrating Stonewall Uprising in New York
The exhibition lands in Manhattan this month, coinciding with the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall riots
Honey Dijon has curated a new exhibition at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in Manhattan, New York, celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
The exhibition, titled The Sound of Stonewall Uprising, features a replica of the original jukebox playing at the New York gay bar Stonewall Inn when it was raided by police in the early hours of June 28, 1969.
The police raid sparked spontaneous riots fighting back against the US government’s persecution of LGBTQIA+ minorities, marking the beginning of the gay rights movement.
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Speaking on the project, Honey Dijon explains: “When I think of Stonewall, I think of liberation, rebellion and owning your own narrative.”
“I wanted to contextualise what queer people experienced during the Stonewall Rebellion: the oppression, but also the hard-fought happiness and freedom," she added.
The exhibition commemorates the birthplace of the LGBTQIA+ liberation movement, featuring specially selected tracks that capture “the rebellious spirit and collective joy” of the Stonewall breakthrough.
"These queer people had the music and they had each other,” Honey Dijon says. “These songs are a way for us to better understand their story."
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The curated playlist is now available to stream, featuring songs from the likes of James Brown, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and Aretha Franklin, as well as a handful of Honey's own tracks.
The Sound of Stonewall Uprising opens on June 28 at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, the same site where the demonstrations took place some 55 years ago. The exhibition is free to enter.
“Music holds a unique power to connect us all, and through this project, we highlight its significance and impact on the LGBTQ+ community,” reads a description of the exhibition. “By showcasing the transformative role of music, we celebrate its ability to unite, inspire, and empower.”
Watch a short film below about the exhibition, and listen to the playlist here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter