'Protected by Alarms' St.Ives exhibition in an old house by Anima Mundi Gallery.

'Protected by Alarms'. Anima Mundi at the buildings opposite their gallery in Street an Pol
Oct - mid November, Tues to Sat , 11-4 daily, free admission.

Lesley Hale, who is involved with the project to invest in community housing in the building that is being used for this show had the very bright idea of suggesting it to Joseph Clatke of Anima Mundi and he has taken the opportunity to show 19 of his stable of artists in this very alternative place, a delapidated building.
Lesley has largely been left with the unpaid invigilation in the hopes of raising interest and funds for the housing project.


I went up to the top of the house first. There was a black and white film showing by Mark Jenkin called 'Bronco's House'. Unfortunately the duration was not printed on the catalogue list, which was hard to read in dim lighting in its pale grey tiny font. Other visitors told me the film had the same style as Jenkin's recently acclaimed 'Bait'. It was rather slow moving and brooding with no smiles but had a compelling atmosphere of probable tragedy as a pregnant woman and her partner sought to reclaim a stone built house somewhere near Newlyn. However, not knowing how long I was in for I left before the end, later finding out its 44 minutes.


There was a hole in the shutters through which I saw the surprising view of Smeaton's Pier, surprising because, disorientated by my walk up the staircases, I had not expected to see this. I thought it was a pity this experience was not consciously incorporated into the show but maybe most people saw it. It made me think of how lovely it might be to live in the building once it is renovated and available as affordable housing.


The nineteen artists had not in fact responded to the space or to the housing issue but the curator had chosen to exhibit works that fitted some possibly political or social agenda to some extent.


The most starkly current was a large painting by Paul Benney 'Grenfel Tower (the sleep of reason)' which was said to encorporate ash from the tragic fire that destroyed the block of flats due to it being clad with highly flammable material. This painting was lit from the floor and looked dramatic and moving.


Equally dramatic was Tim Shaw's 'Parliament' which was a room full of ragged threatening looking rooks, plumage fluttering in the breeze from an open window, with a chattering soundtrack. An obvious satirical swipe.


Carlos Zapata had a sad tall wooden figure holding a tiny piece of inhabited land in his hand. It was made more effective by being shown in a small dimly lit room, all the more poignant.


Then there was a surprising embroidered banner, gorgeously colourful and crisscrossed with political remarks such as, 'It's been ingrained into my very being that the Tories are the embodiment of pure human evil.' The artist was Henry Hussey, whose solo show at Anima Mundi was about to open.


There was a lot more and prices available at Anima Mundi.


St.Ives is used to good taste and seascapes so this show was a delight.
Anima Mundi is the sort of expensive gallery that can intimidate people who don't feel part of the art world but by crossing the road and being alternative I think Joseph Clarke is to be congratulated on opening up a way in for those who dare to enter for an art adventure that will make them think.