Looking for something a little edgier than Tate Modern? Bored by White Cube? Sick of wildlife photography and temporary ice-rinks? Me too! Read on for some of London’s (slightly) more alternative gallery spaces and find the true meaning of art…
Parasol Unit
A Foundation for Contemporary Art, the Parasol Unit hosts all sorts of artistic media. Located a short distance from Old Street station the modest gallery space continuously breaks out new projects involving photography, poetry and installation work. Parasol Unit is currently showing a project by James Yamada that forms part of its series of outdoor projects. Entitled The summer shelter retreats darkly among the trees, the aluminium installation puts to use a box that mimics the type of light used in the therapy of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Soothing and uplifting – go get treated.
Vyner Street
For those that might agree with the decree on Grayson Perry’s RCA postcard -that ‘Most Art Is Shit’ - a trip down Vyner Street might tempt you into changing your mind. First Thursdays sees the galleries of this narrow east-end street open their doors and serve up FREE alcohol and booze to go along with some of the most interesting breakthrough work around. Get inspired by the drinks and end up seeing something awesome – I did and now the free drinks are only half the reason to go.
Stolen Space
‘Street Art’ can’t help but sound like the kind of phrase that someone might put before or after saying ‘cutting edge’, or something just as intangible– so I’ll have no more mention of it. In fact, why go traipsing round the gentrified backstreets of Shoreditch looking for an original sign by Eine or an ROA animal when you could be at Stolen Space in the Old Truman Brewery? Alternating between both group shows of its roster of contemporary artists and individual exhibitions, there’s always something to attract the art-thirsty to the Brick Lane space. Printing, painting, stencils and installations have all featured. Plus, you can buy affordable originals. Treat yourself to a silkscreen print by Word To Mother perhaps?
Riflemaker
Set up in the architectural fantasy of, you guessed it, an old gun makers, Riflemaker is a gallery space spread over five floors. Exhibiting work by innovative up-and-coming artists and established names alike, Riflemaker has been name dropped by anyone and everyone who wants to look like they know what’s up. And you can see why. The gallery presented the first London retrospective of Martin Kippenberger and has also featured work by William Boroughs amongst many others. Exhibitions usually come accompanied by Monday evening events with the focus on live performances, talks, poetry and music.
LN-CC
‘This is no gallery,’ you’ll shout. ‘Oh, non-believers,’ I’ll reply, 'but it is, for who can really say what art is and where it truly belongs?' Now alright-already! LN-CC is a multi-purpose retail venture in Dalston that has found space within its 6,000 square metres to create a mind-boggling array of wonder. Arguably, some of the clothes could be viewed as artwork, but it’s the seven rooms of intricately created architectural mood that has me dribbling onto my keyboard as I think of it fondly. In-house library, vintage sound-system, directional fashion and private appointments - sounds like an art collective to me. See it to believe it doubting Thomas…
