Star Chronicle by Jeff Mills is about the subject of Space Travel. Not only the type that involves the capsulation of humans and blasting them up into the beyond. This primarily deals with a perspective that each and every one of us can take part in and be involved. It’s the process of mentally releasing one’s « self » in order. To be able to reach a higher level of consciousness and explore the unknown space of the mind.
Space Travel in the metaphysical sense requires a certain number of symbolic. Elements that would be used to reinforce the agenda. The consideration and application of the non-color metallic Silver. The movement of spiraling. The re-imagining of what it can mean to think about wearing a spacesuit or a second skin can be.
The objective of Star Chronicle is to propose new ways of thinking about where we’re going. Collectively as a community of deep-thinking animals. What we’re spiraling towards and the purpose of staying awake. What it means to be conscious and alive.
Jeff Mills will be curating and displaying his personal collection of arts and artifacts at Spot Lite, his hometown’s renowned gallery and event space, from September 10-13, 2025. At night, Mills will host special guests from the “Escape Velocity” projects, including Terrence Dixon, Developer, and Optic Nerve. There will also be exclusive screenings of films making their U.S. debut.
Star Chronicles
Detroit, the land of Techno Music, but in the scope of futurism and while the World recognizes the city as such, very little “techno” is produced here anymore. In historic terms, we can trace back to the roots of the genre with 1980s artists like A Number Of Names and Cybotron, both founding artists synthesized the subject of the future into sound, making it a catalyst and “jumping-off points” that would go on for reverberate for the last forty years. Promoting and influencing near and far. But, my focus is not the past, it is the future.
Though by my dashboard indicators and unofficial numbers, there is a lingering sense of imbalance and mischaracterization between what is being labeled as “Techno”, what is actually being done and what is its likely future. Bonafide Techno music about far-out vernacular subjects, once the homegrown crop that gave us the power to break out and breakaway, has somehow, (in my own forensic opinion), diluted its own chemical conscript. Styles of dance music that maternally belong to other cities with other histories have now become inadvertently rolled up and labeled as “Detroit Techno”.
This exhibit is more a proposal than an analytical observation of content. Something of call to others in the sonic strata; about what already belongs to and with this music style.
About Films
X-102 Rediscovers The Rings of Saturn: Live in Tokyo 2018 (2018 60min)
Excerpts from a rare live performance of Underground Resistance (Mike Banks and Jeff Mills) as their alas X-102. An experimental project that originated in Detroit back in 1992 during their various musical explorations, while Mills was still a member of the band and label Underground Resistance. This project and performance were updated in 2008 and for Mutek Japan in 2018. X-102 is a lifelong and ongoing project that watches and documents the discoveries of the planet of Saturn. With every significant amount of updates, Banks and Mills re-enter into the musical works to reference the planet and its moon’s activity and changes.
PLANETS by Dairakudakan (2017 28 min)
In a unique approach to recognizing the known physicality and character of all nine planets of our Solar System, Jeff Mills creates a concept and film that translates this information by the way of Japanese butoh dancers. The world-renowned
Dairakudakan dancers, under the esteemed supervision of Akaji Maro, are asked to put each planet’s character into motion and symbolic movement.
Life To Death And Back (2015 60 min)
Directed by Jeff Mills and shot at the Louvre Museum Paris for his residency there in 2015. Resonating with the Ancient Egyptian Collections of the Louvre Museum, Jeff Mills revisits the idea of the cycle : the circadian cycle of the appearance and disappearance of the Sun, the cycle of drought and flooding of the Nile river, the cycle of birth and death of beings. In collaboration with French choreographer Michel Abdoul and three contemporary dancers, Mills creates a full length film that follows three dancers, acting as Gods, throughout the Ancient Egyptian department as they walk through life to death and then back.
About Guests
Wednesday 9/10: Liz Warner
An award-winning multimedia journalist specializing in audio. A long-time host at WDET and recently she started teaching Radio and Communication Skills at high schools in the Detroit Area.
Thursday 9/11 Terrence Dixon
Terrence Dixon describes his techno as “Forward-thinking ghetto electronics” and is widely recognized for his incongruous, minimalist sound design, authenticity, and dedication. A prolific producer, his 30-year studio career has seen releases on Metroplex, Tresor and Rush Hour to name but a few. Dixon’s sound safeguards Detroit techno so that it will remain relevant in the years to come and his tracks have been some of the most exhilarating of the 21st century. He is a champion of the Detroit sound, who is firmly rooted in the city’s grand tradition, but also propels things forward in unexpected ways.
Friday 9/12 Developer
A true Los Angeles techno legend, Developer has been shaping the global techno landscape since the early 1990s. His journey began on the airwaves of KSPC FM, a small but influential radio station East of Los Angeles. Over the decades, he has become one of the most respected figures in underground techno. Known for his relentless work ethic, signature hypnotic rhythms, and uncompromising sound. As the founder and curator of the highly influential imprints Modularz, Olympian, and Developer Archive. He has played a critical role in defining the modern techno aesthetic, championing raw, functional, and forward-thinking music. His discography boasts collaborations and releases on some of techno’s most revered labels. Including Jeff Mills’ Axis Records, Luke Slater’s Mote Evolver.
Saturday 9/13 Optic Nerve
The Optic Nerve is the dark electronic movie score sound of the streets of Detroit and the true Detroit Techno sound. The presentation of the music reflects the streets of Detroit in a cinematic soundscape environment, taking advantage of the producers’ training in the various arts of concept and orchestral arrangements. The recordings focused on the idealism of escapism by the use of synthesizers and string lines to convey a futuristic view and mirrored the sound of mid-90s Detroit. Keith Tucker has branded his craft into a vision of dramatic, as well as rhythmic, movie-themed scores that focus on the future; and challenges the mindset to evoke emotion into dance music.
About Jeff Mills
Jeff Mills has never wallowed in his DJ status and kept on multiplying outstanding performances. At the intersection between music, contemporary art, pop culture, design and science fiction. While running his own record label, Axis Records, since 1992 onwards. After conquering Detroit’s early Techno scene as The Wizard in the 80s, as a part of the Underground Resistance. He took up with his prime inspiration, Space and Science-Fiction.
Jeff Mills is the first DJ to collaborate, perform with Classical orchestras which was captured on DVD. It all began in 2005 with “Blue Potential”. Followed in 2012 by a new version called “Light from the Outside World”. Still scheduled to perform all over the world. Mills keeps creating pieces specifically made for the classical orchestra. “Where Light Ends” (2013) , “The Planets” (2015) and “Lost In Space” (2018).
Started in Tokyo, 2015, Jeff Mills created Spiral Deluxe, his first band since Underground Resistance, displaying an Electronic Jazz Fusion. This led him to have another project called Tomorrow Comes The Harvest with late Tony Allen. Which still continues with the keyboardist Jean-Phi Dary and the tabla virtuoso Edouard Prabhu, among other guest musicians. Decorated in 2007 with the French Government award of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters. Mills was upgraded in 2017 to be Officer, in recognition of his contribution to the Arts. Such as the residency at the Louvre Museum.
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About Spot Lite
Spot Lite is an art gallery and dance club that focuses on the connection between visual art and music. Curated by Roula David, the gallery presents exhibitions and events that explore the interchange between the two disciplines. By day, it operates as a contemporary art space; by night, it hosts DJs and live performances.
Instagram/website
About Paxahau
Paxahau specializes in producing music festivals and events, incorporating innovative sound designs and always placing the highest priority on music. The company first established itself as an underground party promoter and online resource to showcase electronic music culture in Detroit. Paxahau has been the producer of Detroit’s Movement Festival since 2006. It’s recognized across the world by artists, community members, and industry executives. As a pioneering promoter rooted firmly in the birthplace of Techno.
Instagram/Soundcloud
Event Details
Location : Spot Lite (2905 Beaufait Street, Detroit)
Dates :
- September 10 (Wed) : Star Chronicle Opening ExhibitJeff Mills Exhibit Presentation 7:30pm Conversation with Liz Warner 8:30pm
- September 11 (Thu): Forbidden Planet Film Screening (X-102 Rediscovers The Rings of Saturn: Live in Tokyo 2018) 9:00pm, Terrence Dixon Live, Jeff Mills
- September 12 (Fri): The Space Age, Film Screening (PLANETS by Dairakudakan) 9:00pm, Developer, Jeff Mills
- September 13 (Sat): Cyber Punk and the New Revolution, Film Screening (Life To Death And Back) 9:00pm, Optic Nerve (Keith Tucker) Live, Jeff Mills
Opening Exhibit RSVP & Tickets to Musical Performances (Thursday-Saturday) can be found at: Paxahau.com/StarChronicle
Art Exhibit is open to the public with free admission between 10am – 8pm between September 11 – 13.
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