Jason J. Snell

“Adam in Wonderland”
2025-26 Research/Development Grant

“Adam in Wonderland,” named after one of the first raves in Cedar Rapids in 1993, is an archival and interactive project preserving Eastern Iowa’s long-running, largely undocumented rave culture. For over three decades, this scene has brought together thousands, offering working-class, LGBTQ+, and alternative youth a sanctuary for belonging, creativity, and self-expression. With the passing of time, much of this history risks being lost without intentional archiving.

As a ‘90s founder, Snell will collaborate with other DJs, promoters, and community members from the era to collect and preserve flyers, clothing, equipment, recordings, and stories. This material will anchor a public exhibit at CSPS (the site of the original event) and later expand into libraries, museums, and an online archive. The exhibit’s centerpiece will be an interactive brainwave-driven sound installation, allowing visitors to experience immersive rave soundscapes generated from their own mental states, connecting today's audiences to the energy that defines Iowa’s rave movement.