Hastings Independents: Four Weeks of Grassroots Arts
KEITH RODWAY previews happenings at Electro Studios.
The extraordinary wealth of creative arts talent in Hastings and St Leonards is becoming hard to keep pace with, with one source suggesting that the area has more artists per capita than anywhere else in Western Europe. The multiplicity of events is mind-boggling and seems to increase exponentially at a breakneck pace.
Situated in a part of St Leonards that has so far remained unaffected by regeneration and gentrification, Electro Studios is something of a maverick among its peers. Having over the last year featured an eclectic mix of visual art, mixed-media events, live performances and guest artists, the gallery is almost fully booked for the next year. Electro has shown that being located in a relatively obscure part of the town is not necessarily a disadvantage, and may even be a blessing. If ‘keeping it real’ is for you, this may be the place.
Throughout November, the gallery is hosting four weeks of grassroots projects by first-time exhibitors, students from Sussex Coast College and performers working on the fringes of the avant-garde. To quote Electro Studios project space director Colin Booth: “As a community-facing gallery, we are constantly reminded that we are surrounded by a huge number of very talented artists, musicians and performers and we hope our month-long Hastings Independents with give people a flavour of this vital, creative energy that makes Hastings and St Leonards such an exciting place to live.”
Over four weeks between 4 and 26 November, the gallery will host a diverse range of projects: work by young artists associated with up-and-coming Hastings band Borough Council, curated by Charlie Hawley, an exhibition of work by illustration students under the direction of legendary collagist Peter Quinnell, and photography by musician Amanda Thompson profiling – to quote Iggy Pop – “the city’s ripped backsides”.
Music across the month will feature electronica improv outfit Jury Service vs Mystery Key (Spontaneous Electronic Maelstrom),funky mantragrooves from Simon&thePope with projections by Exploding Cinema supremo Duncan Reekie, and melodic indie pop from The Big Believe. Avant-garde sound artist Philip Sanderson will weave his idiosyncratic sonic spells, Es Krim will be “reframing old ideas with new friends – all analog” and techno outfit Red Crayon Spider will rock the eaves, with images from world-renowned visual artist and projectionist Kim Wan. All the music events will be free – donations to help with running costs will be gratefully accepted at the door.
So – an unusual space in an unusual place, Electro is coming into its own. For more details, watch the more usual, virtual spaces.
Electro Studios is at 5 Seaside Rd, Saint Leonards-on-Sea TN38 0AL. For more information visit @electro_studios_project_space
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