Regular readers will know that the Zabludowicz Collection, or 176 Gallery, is not only one of our favourite haunts in NW5 – but our beloved capital itself.
And Future Map 10, which showcases the finest graduates from the University of the Arts London and opened on Friday (closes Feb 6 – be quick) is its most absorbing show yet. In fact, our drizzly Sunday morning visit was the highlight of a Mrs Kentishtowner-directed cultural weekend that took in Gilbert and George’s rather bloated new exhibition, ‘Urethra Postcards’, at the White Cube and sculptor Richard Wentworth’s excellent ‘Three Guesses’ at the Whitechapel.
Highlights? Well, you can’t miss the lifesize waxwork bouncer, ‘Paul’ (below, by Eun Jung Ha), cradling a new-born chick at the entrance to the main hall. In the smaller rooms Mrs Kentishtowner was entranced by Josh Baum’s ‘Instrument for observing water bounce,’ and Lucia Rivero’s ‘Sway’, with its dancing hairdryers. Upstairs we enjoyed Sofie Alsbo’s video installation ‘Tribe Absurdia’, which blends tribal rhythms with some rather nifty dancing Elvises (also pictured below).
However, the Kentishtowner gong for excellence goes to Central Saint Martin artists StrangMacfarlane for their provocative ‘1 to 10, 2010’ (below), ten framed texts/visuals which wittily explore the relationship between viewer and artwork.
And no, that’s not me. And it’s certainly not Mrs Kentishtowner, either. In fact, it’s someone called William. All lies of course, what the artists say about him. All lies.
176 Prince Of Wales Road, Thurs-Sun 12-6pm.