Messing around with the idea of time brings an astounding number of conclusions to creativity. Playing with influences from the past to shape interpretations of the future, without being defined by temporary trends, requires a rare ability. One that artists like Paul Nicholson have completely mastered and expanded.
It is exactly this collision of eras and talents that defines the upcoming milestone for REC. The Napoli-based cultural and musical hub is approaching its first anniversary, and they will be celebrating the landmark by bringing the legendary British designer, best known for creating the Aphex Twin logo and for founding the creative consultancy Number 3, to the venue on May 23rd for an event titled A2Z-1#3.
They launched the club last September by inviting Berlin’s iconic photographer and head Berghain bouncer, Sven Marquardt, to showcase his work. A figure in the techno scene that quite adequately embodied the identity of what this new electronic music nucleus was headed to be.
Since then, the space operates on the understanding that club culture extends far beyond music, relying heavily on the visual and human synergy that grows around it. As a result, by offering total creative freedom, the venue has successfully established itself as a blank canvas for the city, a place where artists are invited to share music, spread culture, and use the physical space to showcase all sorts of art forms.
This specific night builds a direct cross-continental link from London to Castellammare di Stabia, centred on a unique collaboration with the studio Lazar Workroom. Founded by Francesco Coppola, the young local design research studio finds a core foundation in this partnership with Nicholson.
The two will sit down for an open dialogue that moves beyond a standard artist talk, focusing instead on a generational passing of the torch, blending perspectives on how a single visual signifier can transform into a subcultural code, how symbols can become energy and how graphic design can be an essential tool to bridge connections.
That collaborative outline extends directly onto the floor. The space will host a joint exhibition by Paul Nicholson & Lazar Workroom, alongside an open screen-printing workshop helmed by Printmast and a live painting intervention by Dmitrij Grasso. And, because you can’t fully explore the visual identity of electronic music without the physical presence of sound, the night will be anchored by a strong bill.
Providing the sonic backdrop for this convergence are the deep, minimalist grooves of Idriss D, and while Fafi Abdel Nour dabbles in more emotive house territory, Monique and MareMosso close the loop, making sure the harder sides of techno and the melodic feels of jazz aren’t being left out.
As REC comes almost full circle on its first year, A2Z-1#3 marks a definitive milestone for the city. It serves as a necessary generational, cultural, and geographical intersection – one that brings the like-minded together to celebrate the art of symbolism and design inside the raw atmosphere of club culture.
Cover Photo: © REC
