Vintage Disco Biscuit

There always seems to be a metaphorical bag of magic beans for a story like this to take root and organically grow, or in this case a collection of 90’s disco biscuits, that Rupert’s father, the disco biscuit guardian, took care of for over 20 years (now destroyed). The artwork is the result of several years’ of brainstorming and ideas on how to create a diverse collection of compositions by artist Rupert Scriven, very familiar with the UK club scene of the 90’s in the North of the UK, at classic club nights at the Hacienda, Vague, Speedqueen and Back2Basics.

The artwork has two interrelated collections;

  • The first being the in-depth detail documentation of each individual disco biscuit through macro photography with the assistance, expertise and patience of Adam McLoughlin. The results of what on face value is just a simple 6mm pressed pill with logo with a naughty name for itself, then enlarging it up to 1000mm visually is both breathtaking and a thing of beauty. The detailing of logos, variations of hidden to the naked eye colours, binding agents physical compositions, the years of natural deterioration, and the MDMA bleeding changing what was in most cases a pearly white biscuit in the 90’s, creates an almost hypnotic image in many cases.         
  • A variety of the individual disco biscuits are then given new homes in the compositions artist Scriven has devised, with his not so level head space, that he loves and hopes you will too. It’s not often in life we truly are able to express ourselves and our passions become reality. 

The artwork is not trying to demonise or glorify recreational drugs but simply allowing old school clubbers to reminisce about their days of clubbing through familiar imagery within photographic compositions, some subtle and others more tongue in cheek, the majority of which had their origins in the nightclub scene of the 1990’s. At the same time the artwork has a serious underlying message, aiming to educate today’s party generation by making them aware of the possible health risks that exist when going out to enjoy themselves through supporting and championing the work and ethos of The Loop. That’s right, every Vintage Disco Biscuit purchase that you lovely souls make will contribute 5% to the amazing selfless work the Loop provide. 

The Loop carries out vital work in educating drug users about what they are taking but their success is constrained by its limited funding. 

Deaths in the UK from taking MDMA have risen sharply in recent years and are nearly at a record high as the potency of ecstasy pills available increases dramatically. The average strength of MDMA has soared from 20 – 30mg in 2009 to 125mg in 2016, and some ‘super pills’ have been found to contain up to 350mg. Other pills contain no MDMA but substances such as PMA/PMMA, which can be fatal. The Loop is the only UK organisation to conduct forensic testing of drugs at clubs and festivals – through its Multi-Agency Safety Testing – to help users identify particularly harmful substances and enable them to make informed decisions about what they are taking.

The Loop – Don’t be in the dark

As festival forensic testing shows MDMA crystal is very high purity, welfare services offer advice to users: ‘CrushDabWait Saves Lives’

The Loop conducts forensic testing of drugs at UK festivals and nightclubs and provides associated welfare support. Forensic testing suggests that whilst the MDMA content of ecstasy pills has fallen a little in recent months from its peak to just under 100mg MDMA per pill, the MDMA crystal currently in circulation in the UK is very high purity – 83% – and even higher at recent festivals where The Loop has been testing.

The Loop co-founder Fiona Measham said, “We are working in partnership with club owners, festival organisers, local councils, police and other enforcement agencies to create a ‘safe-haven’ environment for drug users in which we can raise awareness of the risks and to help stem this increase in deaths caused by these dangerous substances. Rupert’s artwork is a vibrant celebration of the ecstasy culture of the past but serves as a very bold reminder of the risks associated with drug use today.”

Buying the Art

Vintage Disco Biscuit use the UK’s leading printers, Loxley Colour. We offer 3 options.

Gilcee Fine Art Prints – The art is printed onto the highest quality Fuji fine art photo rag 300gsm paper.

Canvas Print Wrap – The art is printed onto 340gsm canvas with a gloss laminate finish & wrapped around the handcrafted 40mm frame with a wall hook fitting & felt bumpers on the corners. All giving a professional finish.

Limited Edition Acrylic Prints – The art is printed onto metallic paper, then professionally encased in the highest grade of Acrylic. The combination of the metallic print & 6mm acrylic brings the art to life – shimmering in the light as you walk past & giving the art an almost 3D feel. The end product looks breathetaking & hard to capture on the website.

 

Limited Edition Acrylic Prints

Each of the compositions is available in:-

  • 12-inch square / 30 x 12-inch landscape
  • 20-inch square
  • 30-inch square
  • 40-inch square

There will only ever be 100 of each size created – each with its individual limited edition Vintage Disco Biscuit number 1-inch watermark encased within the acrylic.

Limited Edition Acrylic Prints

Each of the individual biscuits is available in:-

  • 12-inch circular
  • 20-inch circular
  • 30-inch circular
  • 40-inch circular

There will only ever be 100 of each size created – each with its individual limited edition Vintage Disco Biscuit number 1-inch watermark encased within the acrylic.