"Bridges to Babylon" 1997 - The Rolling Stones

"Bridges to Babylon" 1997
The Rolling Stones

Drawing © Mark Fisher

Photo © Mark Fisher

Having explored alternative visions of a technological future for the performance environments of "Steel Wheels" and "Voodoo Lounge", Fisher and The Rolling Stones turned their attention towards an altogether different yet extremely topical notion as the starting point for their next production; the impending fin de sicle. Historically the end of a century in Western culture has often been associated with a period of decadence, an all-pervasive spirit of hedonism precipitated by society acting in fear of the impending apocalypse.

Drawing © Mark Fisher

Transforming this recurring Zeitgeist into a powerful visual form that could be communicated to an audience led Fisher towards ideas of opulence and flamboyance, and in particular to examples of excessive architectural ornamentation that often accompany power and wealth. The title "Bridges to Babylon" suggested the transportation of the audience to a mythical place synonymous with both luxury and vice; the precise conditions that produce an atmosphere of decadence.

Photo © Mark Fisher

Rolling Stones 'Bridges to Babylon' bridge during construction. The pictures were taken in London in August 1997 at the workshop of the fabricator, Brilliant Stages Ltd., whilst the bridge was being load tested before it was shipped to the USA for the tour.

Excerpts from:
'Mark Fisher - Staged Architecture'
by Eric Holding
Wiley-Academy

Links

The Mark Fisher Studio
Archietctural Monograph No 52 "Mark Fisher - Staged Architecture"

Mark Fisher arcspace features





				Features
		"Bridges to Babylon" 1997 The Rolling Stones Drawing © Mark Fisher Photo © Mark Fisher Having explored alternative visions of a technological future for the performance environments of "Steel Wheels" and "Voodoo Lounge", Fisher and The Rolling Stones turned their attention towards an altogether different yet extremely topical notion as the starting point for their next production; the impending fin de sicle. Historically the end of a century in Western culture has often been associated with a period of decadence, an all-pervasive spirit of hedonism precipitated by society acting in fear of the impending apocalypse. Drawing © Mark Fisher Transforming this recurring Zeitgeist into a powerful visual form that could be communicated to an audience led Fisher towards ideas of opulence and flamboyance, and in particular to examples of excessive architectural ornamentation that often accompany power and wealth. The title "Bridges to Babylon" suggested the transportation of the audience to a mythical place synonymous with both luxury and vice; the precise conditions that produce an atmosphere of decadence. Photo © Mark Fisher Rolling Stones 'Bridges to Babylon' bridge during construction. The pictures were taken in London in August 1997 at the workshop of the fabricator, Brilliant Stages Ltd., whilst the bridge was being load tested before it was shipped to the USA for the tour. Excerpts from: 'Mark Fisher - Staged Architecture' by Eric Holding Wiley-Academy Links The Mark Fisher Studio Archietctural Monograph No 52 "Mark Fisher - Staged Architecture" Mark Fisher arcspace features