May 23, 2025, the Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection’s grand Rotunda hosted the Arthur Jafa: Remixed Party. From 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM, DJ sets by Robert Hood and Crystallmess animated the space. The performances were set against the powerful visuals of Jafa’s 2013 film, APEX. This special presentation of APEX offered a visceral meditation. It explored “blackness” in visual culture. The result was a unique fusion of art and sound.
Stepping into the Bourse de Commerce, the sheer scale and architectural beauty of the Rotunda always sets a unique tone. There’s a buzz in the air as attendees gather. Eager to see how contemporary art and electronic music would interact within such a historically significant space. It’s very gratifying to witness events like this. These events strengthen the acceptance of techno and electronic music as legitimate contemporary art forms. They find their place within esteemed cultural institutions.
A Shaky Start with Crystallmess
The evening’s first set, delivered by Crystallmess, unfortunately suffered from significant technical Difficulties. The audio was incredibly muddled and shrill, reaching a piercing volume that actually made our ears hurt. It was genuinely difficult to discern her artistic direction. We couldn’t understand the nuances she was trying to achieve with her mix. Because of these problems, we missed the opportunity to experience her full set. This situation unfortunately cast a shadow over the early anticipation for the night.
Jafa’s APEX and the Unfolding Night
Despite the challenging audio during parts of the evening, Arthur Jafa’s APEX (2013) remained a constant force. It was a presence throughout the night. The film is projected powerfully across the space. It is a visceral montage of found footage. The exploration of the black American identity and experience is raw and unflinching. Jafa’s work consistently challenges and provokes, moments of joy and struggle, beauty and pain. There were sequences that were deeply moving, others unsettling, and all of them thought-provoking. These intense visuals played a crucial role in creating the event’s unique atmosphere. This was true even when the sound struggled.
The Turnaround with Robert Hood
As the night progressed, the atmosphere shifted as Robert Hood took to the decks. For those familiar with techno, Hood is a foundational figure, known for his pioneering role in minimal techno. His roots run deep in the Detroit techno scene, as a founding member of the influential collective Underground Resistance. This collective played a key role in shaping the raw and uncompromising sound of Detroit techno. They emphasized a stripped-down and exciting approach to rhythm and texture, that is still a major influence on techno.
Thankfully, as Robert Hood’s set began, the audio issues seemed to largely resolve. Hood’s deep understanding of rhythm, honed through his long career and his beginnings with Underground Resistance, shone through. His command of the decks truly filled the Rotunda, creating a powerful synergy with Jafa’s visuals. It was then that the potential of the event began to unfold. The art and music finally complemented each other as we hoped. The crowd responded. They lost themselves in the hypnotic beats that Hood is so renowned for. Finally, they engaged fully with the experience.
Final Reflections
It was was really funny to see the coat check in the gallery
The Arthur Jafa: Remixed Party was very cool. It aimed to create a dialogue between challenging art and compelling music. There were early audio problems during Crystallmess’s performance. This was a noticeable drawback and limited our full experience of her set. But, the power of Jafa’s APEX and Robert Hood’s masterful delivery ensured a memorable experience. The unique setting of the Bourse de Commerce added to the challenge. Events like these push and expand the boundaries of what defines “art.” They welcome electronic music into the mainstream cultural conversation it deserves.
Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection https://www.pinaultcollection.com/en/boursedecommerce