Most of you will agree with me in that during the 1960s modernity arose. The mid-to-late 60’s encompassed a series of social and political troubles that made the youth reveal. You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-1970 is the exhibition currently being held at the V&A museum.

After World War II there was an extraordinary baby-boom, that led to an unprecedented number of young people that grew in a socio-political era completely different to the former generation. While their parents’ duties had been to provision for the essential necessities, the youth had only lived in wealthy occidental societies. But there were some things that weren’t quite right. During this period civil rights were practically nonexistent: homosexuality and abortion were illegal, woman rights weren’t considered, divorce was hard to achieve, we had the death penalty for murder, and racial discrimination was widespread. Not to forget the military intervention in Vietnam and the mandatory recruitment of US civilians. All this social tensions moved the youth beyond surviving starvation to a counter-cultural movement in the UK and the US, that then spread throughout the Western world.

The exhibition explores how the revolutions of the late 1960s have shaped our way of thinking and living nowadays, and it does so through the arts. To start the time-travel, and to reach an appropriate 1960’s state of mind, the museum provides headphones that play music accordingly with the stands.

The exhibition is all about how the revolutions and the different movements of this period in the UK and US shaped the arts and vice-versa.

Considering that it is a temporary exhibition, it felt quite extensive, and Stereogiraffe spend around three hours scrutinizing every single bit of it. The tour also offers numerous elements to satisfy the lust of collectors and fans: record sleeves, posters, pamphlets, and the most influential books of the era.

One of the best rooms is the one that has been converted into Woodstock. Grass, puffs and live music make you forget that you are in the V&A.

I believe that the greatest art, music and performances of the 20th century happened during this period, and this exhibition tells you all. Hurry up, since it finishes this month.