DesignSpace Exhibition Considers Guitar Pedals as Fine Art

Thursday, November 02, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE -- Guitar effects pedals are built to be stomped on. But for Ron Light, guest curator of the PedalCulture: The Guitar Effects Pedal as Cultural Artifact exhibition at San Francisco State University’s DesignSpace gallery, those pocket-size gadgets that make Flying Vs squeal belong on a platform.

Opening Thursday, November 2, the show will feature more than 50 effects pedals from around the world — many of them rare, one-of-a-kind and collectible — alongside large-scale photographic displays, music samples and an interactive installation that allows visitors to channel their inner Jimi Hendrix.

“The show is whimsical, yet provocative in many instances,” says Light, referring to some of the pedals wrapped in more risque political and sexual imagery.

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