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Email a friendPeace visions lack conviction
"WHAT is your vision of peace?" tease the organisers of this exhibition cum gathering, adding that "each day for the duration of this festive period, a separate musician, politician, writer or artist will camp out at Brick Lane Gallery exploring the notion of peace through his or her chosen medium, while surrounded with a plethora of work by established and fresh artists documenting this theme."
The geography could not be more appropriate. These are, historically, the crossroads for many a refugee from many a war and their Goyaesque aftermaths, a place where the British Union of Fascists and the National Front were repeatedly outfought with tenacity fed on outrage.
One that could have inspired Peter Brueghel's magnificently intricate Tower of Babel in all its potential glory and, equally, sense of a work still very much in progress.
The same can be said about this exuberant and enthusiastic exhibition - a brave attempt to apply Cabaret Voltaire idealist aesthetics to a contemporary situation. More an expression of would-be anger tempered by the thought of getting a mention, chance to sell something or contact people - a point of potential ideological conflict.
Protest needs a shop-window, preferably smashed. The brick here hasn't been collectively hurled with sufficient conviction or rage.
Bob and Roberta Smith, The Fucks and the Brick Lane Gallery, the leading lights of this project, admit as a precaution that this is an art utopia.
It will act as a sketching pad for inquiring minds in search of their own definitions, hopefully discovering that, as one piece states unequivocally, Peace Needs You - that is, all of us. Solidarity is shown by Turner Prize winner Wolfgang Tilman and the Morning Star's Jeff Sawtell.
It kicked off with poet Micalef, music by the Fucks, followed by Shit TV, then, over the following days and weeks, Bob and Roberta Smith will Listen To The Radio For Peace, while Grace Adam will survey what people think of as Peace.
Jo Jang will perform a Tea Ceremony For Peace and Freee will be there too. Russel Thoburn will introduce meditation and problem solving. Miriam Halahmy's Wall for Peace will have the visitors' thoughts pinned to it and Jemma Freeman will Play A Board Game for Peace.
Confession of the most embarrassing or favourite cracker jokes will be taken by Verity Keefe to a camera. John Wild will wrap up performing Noise For Peace. Peace, however, might need more than just noise.
Peace Camp runs from December 2 to 31 at the Brick Lane Gallery, 196 Brick Lane, London E1 6SA, 1-6pm Wednesday to Sunday, Monday and Tuesday by appointment. Inquiries: (020) 7729-9721 or email info@thebricklanegallery.com
MICHAL BONCZA