JOY Café by Joy Bomb London

Joy Bomb London (aka artist Amy Broch) returns with JOY Café, a new pop-up site-specific installation where people can chat, play, laugh and nourish their ‘social biome’.

The artist has once again transformed a former disused shop front in Mayfair, central London, into a multi-sensory work of art and live performance.

Members of the public are invited to join Illuminate Productions and Joy Bomb London at the JOY Café. Bring a friend, come alone or choose to chat with a JOY Bomb character.

Enjoy a 20-minute socially nutritious experience and visual treat over a drink and a snack and become part of this unique pop-up site-specific installation with live actors.

Participants can sit and relax in the shop window at JOY Café while becoming part of the show amid a kitsch kaleidoscope of vivid clashing colours, a fur carpet, inflatable dogs and messages spreading positive vibes to all. Numerous photo opportunities will be provided, and visitors are strongly encouraged to capture their fun time.

The installation, which will coincide with World Mental Health Day 2022 on Monday October 10, is designed to help people reconnect and reinvigorate their ‘social biome’ post-pandemic.

According to Jeffrey Hall, professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas, your social biome is the ecosystem of relationships and interactions that shapes an individual’s emotional, psychological and physical health. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown, social distancing concerns and the prevalence of home-working – it is likely to be severely damaged.

Amy says: “Whether you are seeking some healing solitude or conversation – come and enjoy the benefits of a nutritiously dense social snack.

“Daily interactions big and small make up your social biome. Small talk is more nutritious than we think - it helps to boost your social biome and banish loneliness.”

Commissioned by London not-for-profit arts organisation Illuminate Productions, JOY Café is just a few minutes’ walk from Frieze London at Regents Park. This will be the final installation at Illuminate Productions’ home on Brook Street, directly opposite the infamous Claridge’s Hotel, before the building is redeveloped next year. The building is stepped in history and was part of the former headquarters of hair salon Vidal Sassoon for 20 years.

For further information visit: www.illuminateproductions.co.uk and Joy Bomb London, https://www.joybomblondon.com/

Participants are encouraged to share their JOY Café experience with artist Amy Broch on her Instagram page @joybomblondon