Glitter & Trash: Glam Rock Roots & Revolutions

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March 27, 2024–May 4, 2025
Group Exhibition
Curated by Peter Groff
Image: Installation View Glitter & Trash: Glam Rock Roots & Revolutions. Haight Street Art Center, San Francisco.

Haight Street Art Center
215 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Haight Street Art Center Website
Haight Street Art Center Instagram

Haight Street Art Center Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Friday	12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Saturday	12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sunday	12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Karl Stoecker. Stranded Album Cover for Roxy Music, feat. Marilyn Cole, 1973. Glitter and Trash. Haight Street Art Center, SF. — Karl Stoecker. Stranded Album Cover for Roxy Music, feat. Marilyn Cole, 1973. Haight Street Art Center, San Francisco.

Overview

Today’s LOVE LETTER TO ART focuses on the Haight Street Art Center’s Glitter & Trash: Glam Rock Roots & Revolutions, which is on view until May 25, 2025.

“Curated by Peter Groff of Bucknell University for the university’s Samek Art Museum, with the majority of the 100-plus pieces in the exhibition lent by author Andrew Krivine, the exhibition explores the aesthetics of Glam Rock, a musical movement that had its heyday in the early- to mid-1970s. In addition to showing the genre’s roots, the exhibition also touches on the musical revolutions it spurred—Punk, Goth, and New Romanticism.”

Glitter & Trash: Glam Rock Roots & Revolutions’ New Wave/New Romantic Artists. Haight Street Art Center, SF. — Glitter & Trash: Glam Rock Roots & Revolutions’ New Wave/New Romantic Artists. Haight Street Art Center, San Francisco

“Deriving from the word ‘glamour’ (originally: magic, enchantment, the casting of a spell), Glam rejected the 1960s’ cherished values of authenticity, realism, and naturalness, embracing in its stead artifice, theatricality, and the creation of fantastic spectacles.

Glam really did plant seeds for a new identity. I think a lot of kids needed that—that sense of reinvention. Kids learned that however crazy you may think it is, there is a place for what you want to do and who you want to be.

— David Bowie

Glam’s vision was simultaneously retro and futuristic. It drew upon a variety of historical inspirations—the flamboyant showmanship of 1950s rock ‘n’ roll, the irresistible schmaltz of Broadway musicals, the mesmerizing star power of Hollywood’s golden age, the dark, seductive demi-monde of the decadents—and dressed them all up in glitter, platform boots, and outlandish space-age regalia.”

Preview of Glitter & Trash: Glam Rock Roots & Revolutions. Haight Street Art Center, San Francisco.

This was such a terrific opening—complete with a Glam Rock costume contest hosted by Amoeba. I hadn’t been to the Haight Street Art Center since the 2018 Morning Breath Inc. show (Grammy-winning artists with ties to both SF and Brooklyn). Glitter & Trash was installed by two dear friends of mine, who cued me in.

The Roxy Music posters were particularly exciting for me as I am a HUGE Roxy Music fan and I really enjoyed the New Wave/New Romatic and Goth sections of the exhibition as well, since I will ALWAYS be a Goth at heart.

Eric Boman. Country Life Album cover for Roxy Music, feat. Constanze Karoli and Eveline Grunwald, 1974. Glitter and Trash. Haight Street Art Center, SF. — Eric Boman. Country Life Album cover for Roxy Music, feat. Constanze Karoli and Eveline Grunwald, 1974. Haight Street Art Center, San Francisco.

Goth Artists Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Sisters of Mercy. Glitter and Trash. Haight Street Art Center, SF. — Goth Artists Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Sisters of Mercy. Haight Street Art Center, San Francisco.

ART TIP: Want to see another Roxy Music-related work in San Francisco? Head to The Interval (fabulous bar, museum, and home to the Long Now Foundation) at Fort Mason, where Brian Eno’s Ambient Painting #1 (light box series) is installed at the bar.

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“Governed by an algorithm that rotates through a large selection of image components, its composition of vibrant colors constantly evolves and will go through millions of iterations without repeating.”

What better way to celebrate Glam Rock—and this exhibition—than through the music itself? I created the following playlist Glam Rock Hot Pants Leopard Satin Coke Kiss on YouTube and Spotify, which includes a selection of my FAVORITE GLAM ROCK TRACKS.

FEATURED PLAYLIST: Glam Rock Hot Pants Leopard Satin Coke Kiss

*Vinyl Record available on Amazon

Glam rock lovers will ADORE this show.

I used to say to my sister, “I wonder if that basic guy on the bus knows he looks like Bryan Ferry.” But I assure you—no one comes near Bryan Ferry without that quiet swagger.

And everything in the universe starts and ends with Marc Bolan—just because.

Youth in death is forever.

Unknown photographer. Do the Strand single cover for Roxy Music, 1973. Glitter and Trash. Haight Street Art Center, SF. — Unknown Photographer. Do the Strand Single Cover for Roxy Music, 1973. Haight Street Art Center, San Francisco.

🗓 Glitter & Trash: Glam Rock Roots & Revolutions is on view until May 25, 2025 at the Haight Street Art Center in San Francisco’s Lower Haight district.

💌 Did you see the show(s) or try any of our recommendations? What did you think? Let us know in the comments (in the Reviews section located on the second tab at the top of the page).

QUICK GUIDE: HAIGHT STREET ART CENTER

⭐ EXHIBITIONS: Glitter and Trash (Closes May 25, 2025); Higher Visions: Art of the Plant by Moon Made Farms and SF Space Walk. (Close TBD).

⭐ LOCATION: Haight Street Art Center is located at 215 Haight Street. It is a 12 minute walk from the Van Ness Station in downtown San Francisco. Closest MUNI bus lines are the 6/7 stop at Haight and Laguna, across the street.

⭐ HOURS: Open Thursday–Sunday 12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.

⭐ MEMBERSHIP: Membership starts at $50 and includes invites to exhibition previews, members-only events, special programs, and discounts on select merchandise and workshops.

⭐ EVENTS: Glitter and Trash: Glam Rock Workshop, Panel Discussion and Film Night includes poster-making workshop, Q&A, and film screening of Born to Boogie (Ringo Starr’s T. Rex documentary) on Saturday, May 24th from 2:30-7:30 p.m. with John Mavroudis and Peter Groff. Workshop tickets: $50. Free for all HSAC Members.

⭐ ART-RELATED: See Brian Eno’s Ambient Painting #1 at The Interval (bar/incubator/museum at Fort Mason).

⭐ NEARBY DINING/DRINKS:

A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S CASUAL PICKS

Suppenküche | Fun and affordable German food and beer. | 8 min walk/4 min drive
Souvla | Chill Greek eatery with fab froyo. | 9 min walk/5 min drive
Otra | Contemporary Mexican cuisine in a chic, relaxed space. | 9 min walk/3 min drive
Martuni’s (karaoke/piano bar) | I can’t/won’t hang out with you if you don’t like Martuni’s! | 8 min walk/3 min drive

A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S ROMANTIC DINING PICKS

Zuni Café | My standard order at this SF institution: a gin martini, a dozen oysters or shoestring fries, a glass of rosé, the Zuni Caesar salad, gnocchi, and the Zuni chicken. BOOK ZUNI CAFÉ ON OPEN TABLE [HERE] | 8 min walk /6 min drive
Rich Table | Hayes Valley’s BEST “nice dinner,” IMO. | 9 min walk/4 min drive

💌 More nearby suggestions are always welcome. Feel free to add in the comments!

A LOVE LETTER TO ART RECOMMENDS

A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S CASUAL PICKS

Suppenküche | 525 Laguna St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Two young, idealistic Germans, Fabricius/Fabrizio (Fabi) Wiest and Thomas Klausmann, opened Suppenküche in 1993. They loved San Francisco's spirit but missed beer culture from back home. The goal was to create an unpretentious, simple place where people could come together to share a beer and basic food with friends and strangers alike. They took a chance on Hayes Valley, which at that time was considered a dangerous, transitional neighborhood. In the spirit of community, they invited all the area merchants to inaugurate their new venture, and Suppenküche has been going strong ever since.
“We wanted to invite folks in to sit together. It was something new for Americans back then. In the old days, you’d sit with your girlfriend at a two-seater table. You were isolated. We were more like let’s all get together. It was fun. Everyone was sitting together, old and rich and young, the artists, and the weirdos. That’s how we started.”

Souvla | 517 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Souvla is a group of modern fast-fine Greek restaurants with locations throughout San Francisco. Inspired by casual souvlaki joints found throughout Greece, we rotisserie roast naturally raised meats and wrap them in our warm, fluffy pita bread with seasonal salads and Greek yogurt sauces. (The word “souvla” means “spit” or “skewer” in Greek — the rod on which meat is roasted.) Our Greek fries have made a whole lot of “best fry” lists, and don’t miss out on our frozen Greek yogurt served in our version of the classic “NY Cup.”

Otra | 682 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

The husband and wife team that brought Son’s Addition to the Mission corridor is excited to unveil Otra to the Lower Haight neighborhood. Focused on fresh masa, bold flavors, and traditional Mexican cooking techniques, Otra brings you dishes reflective of Chef Nick’s childhood experiences.

A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S ROMANTIC DINING PICKS

Martuni’s | 4 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Martuni’s: The Ultimate Piano Bar Experience in San Francisco. Martunis is a top-tier piano bar located in the heart of San Francisco, offering live music, strong cocktails, and a lively atmosphere. Enjoy intimate performances, delicious martinis, and a cozy ambiance perfect for a night out with friends or a romanti

Zuni Café | 1658 Market Street in San Francisco

Zuni Café opened in San Francisco, California on February 15, 1979. Zuni Café won the James Beard Foundation Award for ‘Outstanding Restaurant’ in 2003 and ‘Outstanding Service’ in 2018. Zuni Café was founded in 1979, by Billy West – “with a huge heart and exactly ten thousand dollars.” In its early days, the restaurant occupied only one narrow storefront of the triangular 1913 building it fills today. The dramatic corner storefront was home to the eye-catching Red Desert cactus store, with giant saguaros in the twelve-foot windows and sand on the floor. Billy appropriated the southwestern theme: He plastered his interior to look like adobe and named the new café after the Zuni, one of the indigenous Pueblo peoples of Arizona and New Mexico. Zuni Café’s earliest menus were inspired by the cookbooks of Billy’s culinary idols, Diana Kennedy and Elizabeth David; but they were limited by a kitchen that consisted of little more than a toaster oven, an espresso machine that doubled as an egg-cooker, and a kettle grill in the back alley.

Rich Table | 199 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Rich Table is the culinary vision of Chefs Evan and Sarah Rich. With over three decades of combined experience in San Francisco and New York high-end restaurants, the team brings with them a wealth of talent, knowledge of quality foods and wine, and connections with the best farms and purveyors.

RELATED FILM

Clip from the Glam Rock Cult Classic Velvet Goldmine (1998)

Watch Velvet Goldmine | Prime Video

Starring Ewan McGregor (Star Wars: Episode I, Trainspotting) and Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Governess, Michael Collins) – executive producer Michael Stipe of R.E.M. presents this electrifying journey though rock ‘n’ roll’s most outrageous era! It’s been 10 years since glam-rock superstar Brian Slade (Meyers) faked his own death and vanished from the spotlight. Now, it’s the job of an…

Glitter & Trash: Glam Rock Roots & Revolutions | Haight Street Art Center | March 27–May 25, 2025