Apr
16
First Thursdays in London can be a dizzying affair. Backing up a pace, on the first Thursday of every month the city’s galleries stay open until (at least) 9, new exhibitions are presented alongside meet-and-greet and gossip galore. The problem is deciding where to go. If you attempt to hit all the major destinations, you’ll spend more time just trying to get somewhere than seeing and being seen. It’s best to concentrate on one area, but where? Shoreditch is impressive, young and established come together while critics and artists alike flaunt fashion like peacocks. Soho is a bit more traditional but sometimes lacks that thrilling London buzz. My choice would be Bethnal Green’s Vyner Street.
If you’re shy about knocking on warehouse doors, this is not the street for you. Hidden behind the entrances on this unassuming warehouse-lined street are some surprising spaces. The area has been undergoing a flux for years and still is. In between galleries you’ll find a taxi repair garages, storage spaces, and anonymous gated buildings.
Galleries like Nettie Horn, tucked in beside The Victory pub, show a full range of young artists. Through May 1 the gallery is showing 4 artists: voluptuously elegant sculptures from Dexter Dymoke alongside Lizi Sanchez’s geometric photomontages. In a second room you’ll see whimsical videos from David Bestué and Marc Vives. °Art (Degree Art) explores Hynek Martinec’s “empirical journey into our past” through dreamy apocalyptical paintings. °Art is distinct and worth popping by in view of the extensive number of recent graduates they represent. The contrast of the concrete of Jennifer Cohen’s work with the gold used by Marta Pierobon and Emma Talbot’s darkly comical paintings makes the exhibition at Kate Macgarry gallery worth a visit as well.
There are scores of other galleries on Vyner Street. Any time you see a door with a gallery name, take a chance and knock. What’s the worst that could happen?
For a full listing of First Thursday events: www.firstthursdays.co.uk/
At the moment there is no guide to Vymer Street – be bold and check it out for yourself!
Nettie Horn – Dexter Dymoke Good Fall, 2010, Aluminium, Fluorescent tube, Cloth, 118 x 122 x 8 cm
Kate Macgarry Gallery- Jennifer Cohen
Untitled, 2011 plaster on paper 26 x 31 cm, 24 x 33 cm
°ART – Hynek Martinec
Vymer Street is just minutes from Town Hall Hotel and Apartments. They’re deeply invested in local art and have commissioned works from up and coming artists throughout the building. Town Hall is, by far, one of the most stunning hotels I’ve been seen in recent years, with surprising details at every step. With the magnificent size of the rooms, you won’t even believe you’re in London.
Town Hall Hotel & Apartments, London
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