ART; In Case We Don’t Die, VEGAS Gallery

In Case We Don’t Die is VEGAS Gallery’s (274 Poyser Street, London) latest show, a group exhibition on the second leg of its tour before Copenhagen, curated by Bibi Katholm and Shane Bradford. Comprised of 12 contemporary artists from London, Berlin and Copenhagen, the multi media works supposedly investigate the ‘supernatural presence that sometimes reveals itself during the creative process’ as well as visualizing ‘the already existing, natural communities and connections as opposed to the “designed” communities currently found in contemporary art’, among several other ambiguous and ambitious ‘theoretical starting points’ – I’m glad its only me that read the press release! Instead, In Case We Don’t Die, is a fun mix of eclectic art sharing themes of the sinister and a sense of immediacy, typified by the readymade, a ‘biro’-to-paper piece and lose paint work.

To kick start Vyner Street’s Friday night, In Case We Don’t Die exhibitor, John Strutton, tutor at the Royal College of Art, performed at the private view with Arthur Brick, playing the mini guitar in front of his beautiful Drum Skins paintings (paint and mix media on drum-skins, 2009-10. See above). These perverse, painterly pieces are subtle in colour but powerful in their imagery and served as a good platform for the dark, humorous and experimental other works in the show, and pulled together what could have otherwise been a slightly overwhelming and confusing exhibition.

Despite Bethnal Green’s most famous art street being riddled with the typical Hackney-hack, or ‘designed art community’, Vegas Gallery and its audience was successfully sincere – sculptures were being clambered over by tiny art appreciating toddlers and one had to pay for the beer! The night was live and interactive with art of every kind (and quality), reminding me that the creative arts are supposed to liberate and include, and might just be our only saving grace In Case We Don’t Die.

In Case We Don’t Die is on at Vegas Gallery, 274 Poyser Street, London, E2 9RF, UK, until 27 August 2010 when it travels to Copenhagen.

ShareThis