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Hegemonic Bar

project description
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Project description

Hegemonic Bar
members of basekamp & friends
1999, Base Kamp gallery

The exhibition was named after, and based on, neo-Gramscian hegemony theory. Using this as a departure point, the Base Kamp created the Hegemonic Bar, with the consumption of alcohol as representative of class struggle.

Played like a three-dimensional game of life, the Hegemonic Bar was an interactive installation along with instructions, rules, alcohol, & many people.

The structure consisted of three platforms signifying class stratification into lower, middle and upper classes. This was accomplished through a variety of visual and auditory metaphors. The platforms increased in elevation as they decreased in square footage, each color-coded with its appropriate decor, music, drink, and price. The lower bar was designated by country and hard rock music, pretzels and beer; the middle bar featured soft rock music, cheese and wine; and the upper bar was a symphony of classical music, martinis and Godiva.

The ability of guests to partcipate in each of the bars was determined by a random amount of phoney money distributed at the door. The majority of people were ‘classed’ as either middle or lower income, while fewer guests received enough money to frequent the upperclass bar.

As the night wore on, the consumption of alcohol lessened the inhibitions of the partcipants. This helped to foster a more playful and creative approach to stereotypical class roles and manifest the Saturnalian role reversal sought by the installation.