MACCLESFIELD SILK MUSEUM
July 29–August 8
11–5pm
FOLLOW IN IAN CURTIS’ FOOTSTEPS WITH UNKNOWN PLEASURES MAP OF MACCLESFIELD
Photo by Mark Reeder, Berlin. Reproduced by permission.
The Silk Museum has released a map of Ian Curtis’ Macclesfield to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the singer’s death. Destined to become a real collector’s item, the iconic map guides visitors to the key sites in Macclesfield associated with Ian Curtis and Joy Division.
The reverse of the A2 fold-out map features a poster sized image of an iconic shot of Ian Curtis by long-time friend of the band Mark Reeder alongside a specially commissioned article by music writer Paul Morley.
The map, produced by designers Gary White and Colin Gardner of Pure Designs Limited, will be obtainable from the Tourism Information Centre in Macclesfield Town Hall (price £1.00) or the Heritage Centre, Roe Street, Macclesfield where a limited collector’s edition of 500 is for sale (price £3.00 plus P&P where necessary).
Unknown Pleasures - The Life / Work of Ian Curtis / Joy Division – A Celebration / May – August 2010
Macclesfield Festival’s unique and unseen exhibits on show 27th July – 9th August 2010
A new exhibition, entitled Unknown Pleasures, will mark the 30 year anniversary of the death of the band’s lyricist and singer Ian Curtis, on 18th May 1980.
An in-depth look at the life and work of the singer and band that shaped the future of popular culture, the exhibition is staged in Curtis’ hometown, Macclesfield and is part of a wider community festival.
As part of the Festival activities in Macclesfield, an exhibition will be held at Macclesfield’s 1813 Sunday School Heritage Centre building. The exhibition will run from Thursday July 29th until 7th August and is timed to coincide a new wave of interest sparked by Rhino’s planned release of a boxed set of 7” Joy Division singles in the summer.
The exhibition will feature a serial chronology and items from the late 70s including original record sleeves, posters and handbills, as well as set lists, collectable vinyl singles and albums, music business memorabilia, and letters from Tony Wilson and band members to manager Rob Gretton.
One item sure to be of special interest to fans is a handwritten letter from Ian Curtis unhappy at Closer, the group’s second album. He writes: “this LP is a disaster.”
The remaining members of the band who went on to form New Order, Stephen Morris, Peter Hook and Bernard Sumner, are supporting the exhibition.
The show includes photography including a rarely seen image by Mark Reeder, as well as press cuttings from the time and film footage, including unseen glimpses of the band in concert.
The festival also includes a series of linked talks, screenings and tours in Macclesfield, including a special film screening on July 31st in the town’s independent cinema, Cinemac featuring the three Joy Division related films: 24 Hour Party People, Control and Joy Division and a celebrity panel discussion.