Reviving the Blitz Club with the Design Museum

Target3D has joined forces with Digital Catapult to reimagine one of Soho’s most iconic venues: the Blitz nightclub. Once the vibrant heart of London’s 1980s New Romantic scene, the club has been digitally brought back to life as part of a new exhibition celebrating the creativity and culture it inspired.

Through advanced media production techniques, visitors can now experience the atmosphere that launched the careers of influential artists such as Boy George, Spandau Ballet and DJ Rusty Egan.

The project was delivered by Guildhall Production Studio, part of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, in collaboration with Digital Catapult. The combined expertise in immersive production enabled the recreation of Rusty Egan in virtual form, surrounded by a montage of the Blitz Kids and enhanced archival footage from Spandau Ballet’s early performances.

To authentically portray Egan as he appeared in 1979, an actor was filmed in period-accurate styling. Using artificial intelligence, archived photos of Egan were upscaled, colourised and carefully animated to restore his likeness. Additional AI tools refined facial details and gestures, bringing subtle nuances of expression to life. Similarly, Spandau Ballet’s 1980 black-and-white footage was enhanced through AI-powered colourisation and resolution improvements, adding vibrancy and clarity to decades-old material.

The production brought together Guildhall’s students and alumni alongside creative partners at Southby Productions, showcasing the potential of deep tech to enrich storytelling and preserve cultural memory. The resulting exhibition, Blitz: The Club That Shaped the 80s, pays tribute to the club’s enduring influence on British art, fashion and music.

Laura Helm, Head of Creative Industries at Digital Catapult, commented:

“Applying deep tech tools like advanced media production to performance and heritage offers new ways to connect audiences with the past. The Blitz installation embodies how immersive innovation can revive historical spaces and expand creative possibilities for today’s artists.”

Josephine Chanter, Deputy Director at the Design Museum, added:

“The Blitz exhibition captures the spirit of a defining cultural moment through the fusion of artistry and technology. It’s a vivid example of how digital creativity can transport audiences across time.”

Blitz: The Club That Shaped the 80s runs until 29 March 2026 at the Design Museum. Tickets are available here.