Pick of the Line 24/02 – 02/03

Thurs – Alptraum @ Cell Project Space, Bethnal Green

Are you in the mood for something spooky? Instead of fixing your eyes on the screen of the old classic Exorcist, get your blood pumping faster at the new exhibition brought to Bethnal Green by a group of German artists, exploring the scariest aspects of night-time.

The project is called Alptraum, and it translates from German to nightmare. One may wonder whether it is because that is an inevitable experience at night after attending the exhibition…? If you visit, let us know.

Alptraum is a project led by a number of artists who are asked to experiment on the theme of nightmares that daunt them at night, and create a piece with their own hands. This means all works will have had a physical contact with the artists who produced them, what makes the exhibition very personal.

Alptraum has now spread all over the world with the project happening in Washington, London, Berlin, Los Angeles and Cape Town.

So hurry up and experience it in Bethnal Green before it moves on to chill the art-lovers of Berlin, where the exhibition is heading next.

Entrance: free.

Friday – Last Fridays @ various galleries across South London

Drawing on the success of Whitechapel Art Gallery’s First Thursdays events, South London Art Map brings Last Fridays to South London.

The arts scene in South London is bigger, better and more interesting than ever, so instead of heading to Vyner Street this month, why not check out Bearspace Gallery on Deptford High Street or the Hannah Barry Gallery in Peckham.

This Friday is the inaugural event organised by the new initiative, which features an interactive website covering more than 90 galleries and an accompanying printed map available from art galleries across the capital.

Focused around three artistic hubs: Deptford – where there are more emerging artists per square mile than in any other part of London, Peckham, which, with the annual Bold Tendencies exhibition in a multi-storey car park is a cutting edge destination for arts, and Bankside (covering a wide area including Bankside, Kennington, Vauxhall and Lambeth), where Tate Modern sits.

Galleries across South London will be co-ordinating late openings on the last Friday of each month. The launch parties will kick off from 18:30-20:00 across 90 galleries in South London.

See the website for further details.

Entrance: Free

Saturday- Micron with David August @ the Russian Bar, Hackney, 10pm – 5am

It is not entirely clear whether it embodies the stereotypical characteristics of Russian partying, but the Russian Bar in Hackney sure is a popular clubbing destination in East London.

The music played at the club varies from house and techno to disco, so whatever taste you may have, it is unlikely you will be left out of the fun.

There are 2 rooms at the Russian Bar and the fun in the Main Room will be managed by nominated Best British Small Club Deejay David August. The act will be supported by Danny Raper and Dave Harbour.

If mainstream music is not for you this Saturday, and if you wish to go back in time and wiggle your bottoms to the sound of old disco classics, the other room will make it possible with music artisans Ronny Gill and Magic Thompson.

The club night will also be filmed by a promotion company Micron Ldn Promo, so make sure you’re wearing your finest threads.

Advanced tickets cost £5, and can be purchased from main London club ticket websites.

Sunday @ Rio Cinema, Dalston, 1:15pm.

After a wild night out at the Russian Bar and a long morning in bed, regenerate and feel the love Italian style on Sunday at the independent cinema in Dalston, where a movie by director Luca Guadagnino, I Am Love (Io sono l’amore) will be screened.

The movie has received great reviews from critics and has a great cast (including Tilda Swindon from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).

The story is set in Milan, and involves the usual love story narrative: people fall in love with someone they shouldn’t have, and go through various obstacles to live happily ever after. However, critics have called it a “tragic love story”, so I suggest you bring a packet of tissues along.

Tickets cost £9, and £7 (concessions)

Photo: Tom Last

Monday – Olympic Walk @ Bromley-by-Bow

You are probably well aware of the fact that Britain will be hosting the Olympic Games next year, but do you actually know enough to tell your future knowledge-thirsty grandchildren about it…?

If the answer is “no”, we have a solution for you. On Friday, why not take a close look at how East London is transformed into an Olympic destination in a 2 hour walking tour led by professional guides?

The tour happens daily, and a Blue Badge Guide will meet you at 11am near Bromley-by-Bow underground station, to take you through a walking route of about 3,2 km along East London and it’s makeover.

The tour guide will also tell you how London’s bid for 2012 Olympic Games was won in 2005, what legacy the games will leave on East London, why was East London chosen as the perfect place to host the games, and all the latest news about athletes and venues. And all the talk will be accompanied by the view of the works in progress, so you may tell everybody that you saw it happen with your own eyes. You may also want to bring a camera to collect some evidence.

Cost: £9 for adults, £6 for Children under 16, students (with a valid ID), and seniors.

Photo: David Hawgood

Tuesday –V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, open from 10:00 – 17:45.

This Tuesday, rediscover the child in you at the V&A Museum of Childhood: a museum that has collections of the oldest toys and childhood artefacts in the world.

Stroll down the marble floor surrounded by oldest board games, dolls and dolls’ houses, puppets, train sets, teddy bears, toy soldiers and rocking horses.

The main exhibitions at the Museum of Childhood right now are Food, Glorious Food and an Institute of Play, which is a cityscape of building blocks created by artist Colin Booth. You can see a variety of different kinds of building blocks that children have played with for over 100 years. And then, in your mind, compare them with Barbie Dolls that have taken over the world of the little ones these days.

The museum also has places to eat, shop, and a wi-fi connection or those who cannot live long without any of these things.

You can buy some souvenirs for those who couldn’t make it at the museum’s shop: anything from books to pocket money toys.

Admission: free.

Wednesday – Martin Creed and his band @ Café Oto, Dalston

Better known for his artistic concept of an empty room with lights turning on and off, 2001 Turner Prize winner, Martin Creed, will be combining his visual art, talking, chorographical and musical skills with his band in his new single release THINKING / NOT THINKING.

His latest alternative one-off-show, numbered Work 1090, will be showcased at one of London’s most innovative and intriguing spaces for new music, Café Oto.

The show will be accompanied by a special showing of Creed’s ‘Sick Film.’

Time: 8pm – £10 advance tickets

Additional content from Christina Adamidou

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