Space Station Sixty-Five
65 North Cross Road
SE22 9ET
London
United Kingdom
Europe
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The Nexus Treatment: Sarah Doyle A Space Station Sixty-Five Satellite Project at Waterloo Health Centre
10-19 July 2008, opening event 4-8pm 10th July with performances, vegetarian hot dogs and vintage fairground organ. All welcome.
Thursdays & Fridays 4-7pm Saturdays 1-6pm
With
Dominic Allan, Zoë Brown, Marisa Carnesky, Jo David, Charlie Fox, Rachael House, Tim Hunkin, Sarah Jones, Lady Lucy, Mark McGowan, Alex Michon, Cathie Pilkington and WebsterGotts. Curated by Rachael House and Jo David
Nothing turns heads quite like a funfair. Whether you spy the procession of lorries and caravans arriving in town or simply stumble across the riggers setting up on the common you are compelled to stop and stare. Once the fair is operating the desire to look is even stronger. The strange extreme architecture and that special glow from the lights draws you closer, to where the sounds and smells hit you. Rock ‘n’ roll and fried onions, screaming girls and diesel fumes.
The basics have really not changed in generations, but they don’t need to. The fairground plays with every sense, as the rides turn your stomach and the unusual landscape overwhelms you with a mix of excitement, fear and notions of romance. Nowhere else can we expect the chance of a quick snog, a mouthful of candy floss and the real danger of fisticuffs for some perceived minor infraction. The thrill of the ride is just a bonus.
Bringing all the fun of the fair (as well as some of the darkness) to this gallery within an east London school, Space Station Sixty-Five have picked the finest freaks, carnies and ride operators in the UK art world to spin the Waltzers and run the sideshows. Ghost Train doyenne Marisa Carnesky is on hand with the plans for her dark ride and Tim Hunkin transports the mundane to new heights for his Ride of Life, which posits the domestic setting as theme park. Alex Michon hails Billy Fury’s fleeting appearance in funfair movie That’ll Be The Day for her film loop piece Stormy’s Temporal Tempest.
Zoë Brown’s study of acrobats brings the circus sideshow into the equation, as does Charlie Fox’s bear performances, while Mark McGowan’s attempt to break a world record brings to mind that carny standard, the freak show. Both Jo David and WebsterGotts show video work that reflects the sense of fun to be had in the ridiculous and overblown atmosphere of the fairground. Meanwhile, Dominic Allan brings playful interaction to the school environment by making a model of a googly-eyed child in the Morpeth School uniform.
No trip to the fair is complete without shooting, throwing or kicking your way to some kind of sideshow prize, with the sculpture of Cathie Pilkington and Sarah Jones reflecting the bizarre items you may take home. Lady Lucy takes the role of the sideshow sketch artist and Rachael House invites visitors to sketch a clown, with both sets of work making up part of the exhibition. Iain Aitch
Iain Aitch writes for the Guardian, Daily Telegraph and Art World. He is also the author of A Fête Worse Than Death and We’re British, Innit (which will be published by Collins on 1 September). He grew up near to the Dreamland amusement park in Margate, Kent.
Thanks to W. English Funeral Directors, Bethnal Green for providing The Dignity Organ. Thanks also to Andrew Cooper, Portman Gallery Co-ordinator and students and staff of Morpeth Secondary School. Cathie Pilkington appears courtesy of Marlborough Gallery. The Ride of Life courtesy of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre External Services Ltd.
The Nexus Treatment A Space Station Sixty-Five Satellite Project at Waterloo Health Centre
Sarah Doyle
17/03/2008-14/07/2008
Viewed from the street 24 hours. Launch, Thursday 3rd April: 6.30-8.30pm refreshments available outside 5 Lower Marsh SE1 7RJ after 8.30, ‘The Crown and Cushion’ pub, 133 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7HR All Welcome
Waterloo Health Centre 5 Lower Marsh London SE1 7RJ
The second off-site window project at this London GP practice. Our North Cross Road gallery and project space is undergoing architectural development during 2008.
AND THEN
The Marquis of Camberwell at The Sun and Doves Curated by Rachael House and Jo David Sunday 6th April 4 - 8pm,
I'm the Marquis of Camberwell Green I'm the downiest dude ever seen I'm a gusher, I'm a rusher I'm the Marquis of Camberwell Green Music hall song verse
Ian Aitch reading from his new book We’re British, innit, to be published by Harper Collins, October 2008 Andrew Cooper will give people a magical experience of evocation with The Cabinet of Evocation Jo David scientifical phantasmagorical lecture Rachael House invites you to channel your music hall performer within Sally Leach will delight you with her amazing drawing Shane Waltener (and willing assistant) demonstration of sugarcraft Lady Lucy, Jess and Ness Marlowe Join Lady Lucy, Jess and Ness Marlowe for a good old sing song along. Timberlina ‘a hirsute diva with attitude and just a touch of class’
part of Live on Stage 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS AND NIGHTS of art poetry music dance performance and conversation Presented by The Guy Hilton Gallery at The Sun and Doves 61-63 Coldharbour Lane Camberwell London SE5 9NS 020 7733 1525 http://www.sunanddoves.co.uk/art/schedule/ Live on Stage is organised by Mark McGowan, Stella Scott and Guy Hilton
Please see our website for these and further projects during 2008.
Space Station Sixty-Five 020 8299 5036 http://www.spacestationsixtyfive.com info@spacestationsixtyfive.com
Space Station Sixty-Five is delighted to support Transfabulous, International Festival of Transgender Arts. We wish every success to Transfabulous 2008. 13 - 15 June Oxford House Bethnal Green E2
