International Alternative Press Festival
The International Alternative Press Festival is back for its third year, and appears to be growing leaps and bounds. Individually and independently produced comics, ‘zines and books will overflow rickety folding card tables and cupcakes will be baked in quantities suggesting an imminent frosted invasion. Resonance 104.4 FM will feature its own orchestra at the opening party on 27 May, each musician presumably playing their own notes on previously-unimaginable instruments handmade in small, secluded woodsheds using handcrafted tools and sharp rocks. Also this year, Stripburger: a taste of the premier Slovine Comics Zine at Orbital Comics and a slumber party readathon in the New Gallery at 92 Peckham Road.
Despite certain doomsayers predicting the death of paper-based communications, folks still love actually holding art, stories, news pieces and cartoons in their hands, and the rampant growth of home publishing and friendly distribution networks allows artists and writers to build their own following. This is a chance to wander row after row of ranting geniuses and perhaps buy artworks direct from their creator.
If you have dreams of writing, drawing, and publishing your own funnies, or just of overthrowing the global corporate hegemony of fat, rich old men and their dad’s media empire, check out this nascent festival and say Hey to chief organiser, bushy-headed Jimi Gherkin. Buy comics and cupcakes. Read and eat as appropriate. Blow your harmonigongulele.
International Alternative Press Festival 2011, 27 May – June 13, alternativepress.org.co.uk
21 Mar 2011
First Sight: Sylwia van der Wonderland
A slice of warm, tactile “melancholic techno” here from the mysterious Sylwia van der Wonderland. It’s rather like The Knife having a dream about being Glass Candy. High praise indeed; you’ll know more when we do.
TRS & Sylwia van der Wonderland – Snowflakes (I don’t know if I want the secrets) by sylwiavanderwonderland
18 Mar 2011
See this tonight: The Babies and Cheatahs at CAMP
17th March @ CAMP Basement, 70-74 City Road, Old Street, EC1Y 2B
If you’ve liked Woods or Vivian Girls over the last couple of years then The Babies UK tour is a must see. A band formed by members of the two groups with the simple mission to have ‘fuckloads of fun in small rooms’, they’ve been tearing up basements and bar rooms all over the US with songs as immediately catchy as ‘Break The Law’, garage pop rollick ‘Meet Me In City’ and ‘Run Me Over’ (all on their fantastic debut LP out last month on the Shrimper label). Tonight, they bring the same spirit to the roomier environs of CAMP. Go have fun. You know, a fuckload of it.
17 Mar 2011
See this tonight: Psychologist at St Matthias Parish Church, Stoke Newington
16th March
Signed to Moshi Moshi subsidiary Not Even, psychologist release debut EP “Comes In Waves” this month – a five track collection of songs so incredibly raw and weighted in emotional depth it takes a stronger man than me to get through the 20 or so minutes without a tear forming in the corner of my eye. The EP was recorded at St Matthias Parish Church, Stoke Newington – the exact location of this show. What makes it even more special is that the live incarnation will be carried by a twelve piece choir – how they will help to transform the sparse, pensive creations is anyone’s guess. Regardless, you’ll be wise to bring a pack of tissues.
16 Mar 2011
First Sight: Just a Number 05272011
Weird name, great song: Just a Number 05272011 make knifelike futurist pop that you’ll be seeing a lot more of this year.
16 Mar 2011
Edwyn Collins at Idea Generation
Exploring personalities, disordered and otherwise, Erica Eyres uses prosthetics, humour and narrative to examine human behaviour through video and drawing. Her recent work interprets the distribution and imagery found in internationally distributed mass culture. ‘Pam’s Dream’ is based on the final episode of ‘Dallas’, featuring awkward, embarrassingly bad teenage actors, dressed in sketchy costumes, playing the main characters. As they recreate scenes on homemade sets the viewer is distanced from the gripping escapism of the original series. Drawings featured alongside the film engage with the disquieting and vulnerable side of her characters. Until 4 March. The Rokeby Gallery, 5-9 Hatton Wall, FARRINGDON, EC1N 8HX www.rokebygallery.com
Hobby, © Edwyn Collins 2010
14 Mar 2011
Host at Pertwee Anderson and Gold
Based in the heart of West Central London, the Pertwee Anderson and Gold inaugural exhibition is already drawing the gaze of the art world. Having only just opened its doors, Host predominantly features the intricate works of Kate MccGwire whose exploration of the human senses and the beauty of duality is truly compelling. The exhibition will also display works by American sculptor Nancy Fouts transforms the mundane into the incredible, and the esteemed British artist Alan Rankle, whose work often focuses on social and environmental issues. Until Mar 23 Pertwee, Anderson and Gold, 12 Bateman Street, TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, W1D 3AQ www.katemccgwire.com 0207 734 9283
Slick, 2010 © Kate MccGwire
14 Mar 2011
Horizon Hypnotique at The French Riviera
Recently opened by Samuel Levack and Jennifer Lewandowski, the French Riviera Gallery is intended to be an extension of the duo’s practice as artists. Having been interested in the idea of running a gallery for quite some time now, this venture is (according to the pair) about the act and aesthetics of collaboration. Born of a gradual progression from studio to shop to gallery and set to include a range of artists, Horizon Hypnotique grew from a testing ground for their friend‘s hypnotic dance film to a fully realised show.
Focusing thematically on escapism through dream and notions of imagination, this show will feature pieces from Kris Emmerson, Lucy Woodhouse and Beatriz Olabarrieta. Additional projects will include the solo performative artist Richard Parry and the fantastical cinematic productions of Tai Shani whilst the romanticism of Alex Ressel’s oeuvre completes the feeling of exhibition as art by tying in the romantic imagery conjured by the gallery’s very name. Until Mar 13. French Riviera, 309 Bethnal Green Road, BETHNAL GREEN, E2 6AH www.frenchriviera1988.com Open Friday – Sunday, 12 – 6pm 020 7729 8000
??Alex Ressel – Six Miles From Paternoster Square, 2010 © The artists, courtesy of French Riviera
14 Mar 2011
British Art Show 7 at The Hayward Gallery
Through sculpture, video, film, installations, performance and painting the seventh incarnation of British Art Show explores ways in which contemporary British art conjure up distant histories, the vivid present and imaginary futures. With really great events happening throughout the month, like Gail Pickering’s screening of her performance/film montage piece Sixty Six Signs of Neon on March 3 at 8pm and a rare chance to see Christian Marclay’s highly acclaimed film The Clock in its entirety, this is definitely an exhibition worth checking out. Until 17 Apr. The Hayward, Southbank Centre, WATERLOO, SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk www.britishartshow.co.uk
14 Mar 2011
Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard at the South London Gallery
Compelling and earnestly engaging, Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard’s collaborative audio-visual works feature a large body of performative and video based art.
Taken from the last seven years of their artistic partnership, the projects on show at the South London Gallery explore notions of the audience – whether it is being part of one, observing one or transforming one from voyeur to creator.
Ranging from pieces such as ‘File under Sacred music’ and the duo’s 2003 meticulous remake of 1978’s film ‘The Cramps’ to one of their more recent and more provocative pieces ‘Audience Fuck Off.’ Completed in 2009, the hilarious and awkward performative piece sees a stand-up comedian draw attention to individuals within the audience.
A true concoction of mediums and experiences, this exhibition is definitely worth a visit. Until 18 Mar. www.southlondongallery.org South London Gallery, 65 Peckham Rd, OVAL SE5 8UH
Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard, Performer. Audience. F*** Off, 2009, production still © All images courtesy the artists, South London Gallery and Kate MacGarry, London
14 Mar 2011
Snipe Highlights
Some popular articles from past years
- Hope and despair in Woolwich town centre
- A unique collection of photos of Edwardian Londoners
- Summer Camp: Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days
- Silencing the Brick Lane curry touts could be fatal for the city's self-esteem
- The five best places in London to have an epiphany
- An interview with Desiree Akhavan
- Nice map of London's fruit trees shows you where to pick free food
- Only 16 commuters touch in to Emirates Air Line, figures reveal
- Nice Interactive timeline lets you follow Londoners' historic fight against racism
- The best church names in London, and where they come from
© 2009-2025 Snipe London.