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 Billed as the "first ever major exhibition by (the group) and
the largest touring exhibition of its kind ever to be staged",
"Exhibitionism" opens up the Stones world to fans -- from their
early, impoverished days sharing a rundown London flat in 1962
to backstage at their multimillion dollar concerts.
Instruments including guitars played by Richards and Ronnie Wood
and Charlie Watts' drum kit are on display at London's Saatchi
Gallery alongside Jagger's lyric book.
Some three years in the making, the display features more than
500 items from the band's archives.
"Obviously it's not infinite but it's still going and we're
trying to push things that have never been," Jagger, 72, told
Reuters in an interview. "I don't think there's been anything
like this (exhibition) before. I mean, I don't know, I don't
think so. So, you know, still trying to push boundaries a bit."
A similar sort of exhibition dedicated to David Bowie's career
opened in London in 2013, drawing huge crowds. Bowie died in
January at age 69.
For those who have yet to see the Stones live, a re-creation of
their concert backstage area -- with makeup table, audio
instructions, guitars -- leads to a 3D experience of seeing the
band rock on stage to "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction".
The exhibition also recreates the messy London flat Richards and
Jagger shared with late founding band member Brian Jones, with
dirty plates piled up and unmade beds.
"It's an incredible walk through your own life, you know? For
me, it's quite emotional in a way," Richards told Reuters.
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Fans can also peek inside a Rolling Stones studio and see a
selection of classic album covers, tour posters, Andy Warhol works
and depictions of the band's tongue-and-lips logo.
Their colorful fashion is also featured -- from Watts' 1966 tartan
suit, to Jagger's 1972 velvet jumpsuit, Richards' 1994 antelope coat
and Wood's 2005 embroidered jacket -- with many other elaborate
concert outfits on display.
"There's a magic that happens every time we get together for
rehearsals, for a new tour, or when we go in the studio," Wood said
of the band's enduring success.
The Stones just completed a Latin America tour, which ended with an
historic concert in Cuba.
They are now aged in their late 60s and early 70s, and "a lot
softer, a lot wiser" according to Watts, but have no plans to retire
just yet.
"Hopefully...we'll never give up. They'll have to shovel us in the
grave. We feel like we're still evolving and I think you have to
feel that way," Richards said. "Every show that you do, you say the
next one is going to be a little bit better."
"Exhibitionism" runs at the Saatchi Gallery from April 5 to Sept. 4,
after which it will tour 11 cities around the world over a four-year
period.
(Reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Francis Maguire; Writing by
Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
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