Some nice pics coming out of the Mutate Britain show. We got a press release earlier this week outlining what it’s all about. Why the hell when people say my name in press releases, if indeed they do, do they not refer to me a ‘visionary’? I think I will have to make that mandatory now, together with ’seminal’.
Interestingly they are seeking to ‘revive the cult of the poster’, which makes print collecting sound a bit like joining the Moonies.
On 20th November Cordy House, the six storey warehouse space on Curtain Road, opens its huge metal shutters to reveal an unprecedented and cutting edge art gallery.
Titled ‘BEHIND THE SHUTTERS’ this gallery will showcase and retail not just visual art but also 3D installations, video pieces and film screenings as well as live performances.
Following the press launch on 20th November, BEHIND THE SHUTTERS will be open to the public every Friday through Sunday, ongoing, free of charge. In addition, there will be private ‘member only’ viewings every Thursday evening until the end of 2008.
Garfield Hackett, proprietor of Cordy House and ‘BEHIND THE SHUTTERS’ visionary says, ‘BEHIND THE SHUTTERS will demystify the gallery experience whilst keeping the art on show exciting, inclusive and above all accessible to everyone. Whether you can afford a £10 poster or a £25,000 original piece of work - they will all be behind these shutters.’
There will be four main shows per year, each including one ‘headline’ artist in residence and a
vast array of other projects to completely fill the 25,000 sq ft urban space.
The first residency belongs to MUTOID WASTE; the collective behind legendary squat and acid house parties in the 80s featuring sculptures made mostly of vehicle parts and scrap metal. Having relocated to Italy since the mid 90s as a reaction to the Criminal Justice Act, this exhibition MUTOID BRITAIN marks their UK return in style. Their installation on the ground floor of the art space includes the severed wings of two MIG jets which have been customized and a giant spider constructed from scrap metal.
Another highlight of the first exhibition will be the YOU, ME AND THE BUM BUM TRAIN installation in the basement – truly an experience with a difference! Participants are literally pushed through fifteen different ‘scenes’ on a wheelchair, whilst seventy actors perform and interact. BEHIND THE SHUTTERS will also include a coffee shop and print gallery/workshop run by Print Club London. As well as being able to purchase any of the installations within the entire building, BEHIND THE SHUTTERS is also looking to revive the cult of the poster and thus – where possible – poster versions of art pieces will be available to buy for just ten pounds.
Photo by unusualimage
