I can still remember the first time I came across the first volume of Rapid
Eye Movement, it felt incredible, like I'd just stumbled across some so
wonderful that it couldn't be true. I grabbed the copy there and then,
convinced that what it was important. This was where I wanted to be, I
realised. It wasn't just that the content covered areas I was already
interested in: Throbbing Gristle/PTV/ToPY, industrial music, conspiracy
theories etc, it was also that it was well-written, extremely intelligent
and obviously a labour of love.
Years later I can remember the launch party for the third and last volume of
Rapid Eye Movement. It was some dingy art space near Clerkenwell, Mr Andy
Weatherall was doing his stuff, Gilbert and George were there in a corner
with a couple of pretty boys minders, Stewart Home was due to spout his
stuff...And where was Simon Dwyer? I was looking forward to meeting him at
last. I asked one of the Creation Books crew and was told that he was in
hospital. With what? My answer came a little while later when Peter
Colebrook took the stage to deliver a message from Simon, in hospital with
AIDS. I was stunned. It seemed so unfair that he should be ill on a night
like that.
I was never fortunate enough to meet Simon Dwyer. Jealously, selfishly, I
had hoped that he would recover to continue with Rapid Eye. Where was volume
four? I wanted so much to write for him, to add something back to a project
that had given me so much. It was never to be, as Simon fell victim to the
disease that has taken so many.
Creation Books have taken the best from those three volumes of REM and
created a tribute edition, dedicated to Simon and his widow, Fiona. Reading
back over some of those first articles I can still feel a sense of
excitement, even though my interests have moved on. There is still much to
be admired about it as a work. Simon's critical intelligence is clearly
evident, and his passionate interest in art, creativity and the state of the
world shines through. If you've never read REM then this must count as vital
reading - primary material for anybody interested in 'industrial' culture,
modern art and the state of the world.
Hit the 'back' key in your browser to return to subject index page