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Picture this. We’re listening to John Coltrane croon A Love Supreme on vinyl as we’re gathered in a circle, seated on crates and couches. Some doodle, some browse through the shelves of records and books while I admire the art on the walls. What follows is a conversation centred around Liz Pelly’s book Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist on the perils of streaming culture, and our role in it. It’s a discussion bound to leave one changed, inspired, or at the very least, reflective.
As tempting as it may be to use the buzz word, I hesitate to call FRICTION at Method a third space. The word tends to be lost in mistranslation to a zeitgeist hell-bent on instant gratification. Building community takes time, mutual trust and effort: tenets that most self-proclaimed ‘third spaces’ tend to replace with ambient lighting and overpriced lattes in an attempt to become the latest viral hangout spot in the city.
Instead, FRICTION is unpretentious and wholehearted in its dedication to art and music. Substance over style. Art for art’s sake that I cannot help but revisit over and over again. What is it then, you ask? I think my inability to label FRICTION essentially sums it up. A vinyl forward listening room, art gallery, library, cultural symposium. A counter-institution.
Why FRICTION?
Abhi Meer, the man behind it all, is wary of smooth edges and seamlessness. In an internet-driven world fueled by ease and efficiency, we have forgotten the physicality of experiencing culture. FRICTION reminds you why that art of resistance is important, and a necessary condition for our engagement with the world around us.
As an ethnomusicologist and musician himself, FRICTION naturally takes on a musical lens for Abhi, an essence perfectly captured by the record. The act of finding a record you like, reading its description, assembling the record player in preparation for listening demands your time, patience and attention.
FRICTION encourages active engagement. You’re free to take records from Abhi’s vast personal collection out of their sleeves and listen to them in the space. Art installations match music to your movement as you run around the room hearing the bass change and warp in real time. Books (again, Abhi’s personal collection) are paired with intention – concepts that spark tension, conflicting ideologies, different hemispheres. They’re not for sale, hence the couch to make yourself comfortable and read.
This philosophy of inviting and embracing friction in our daily lives is heavily inspired by thinkers like Ambedkar, Gaitonde, Baldwin and more. From book club discussions to workshops, film screenings and deep listening sessions, FRICTION forces you to contend with yourself, your subconscious beliefs and habits in a space that is safe and open.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, May 28: Book Club - Postcapitalist Desire: The Final Lectures by Mark Fisher
Friday, May 29: Deep Listening - Boards of Canada’s latest album
Saturday, May 29: Open Jam Session
When: On through the month of May and June until July. Wed-Sun, 12pm-8pm.
Where: Method Gallery, 86, Nagindas Master Rd, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
Contact: Find more details on the official Instagram @frictionbombay