The Spirit of Art international contemporary exhibition at La Galleria Pall Mall wrapped up early as the Royal Opera Arcade locked its gates in a preventive move during TUC "March for the Alternative" on Saturday, 26 March.
The endless flow of peaceful TUC demo against goverment cuts made arts and culture institutions in central London feel protective of their valuables. Their fears proved to be reasonable when extremists stole the show on Saturday afternoon.
Traditionally busy shopping weekend for art galleries and boutiques inside the Royal Opera Arcade, where weekend footfall is higher than during the rest of the week, turned into "behind bars" experience on Saturday when gates on both sides of the arcade (Pall Mall and Charles II Street) were shut.
Curated by artist and art curator Zina Bercovici, the Spirit of Art exhibition at La Galleria Pall Mall featured 81 art works (paintings and sculpture) by 41 established artists from Europe, Asia, North and South America.
The countries were: Norway, Israel, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, France, Italy, U.S.A, Cyprus, Netherlands, Bulgaria and Great Britain.
"The Spirit of Art exhibition offers a unique opportunity for the British public to interact with the artists and view original works from 13 different countries," - said Director of La Galleria Pall Mall Elizabeth Mitchell D'Anna.
According to Zina Bercovici, gathering artists and art works from different and diversified countries, origins and artistic spheres in the cultural centre of London was meant to "provide art lovers, art dealers , curators, artists and art collectors with a multicultural corridor."
Speaking at the Spirit of Art Opening Night, art curator and gallerist from Notting Hill (Debut Contemporary) Samir Ceric said: "It is very difficult today as an artist, as a curator and as a gallerist to engage with the audience beyond the art circles", but "without artists we would be living in a very poor society." "All artists are trying to use their personal heritage in the spirit of culture and engagement and collaboration. Art ought to act as a bridge rather than a divider."
The 41 artists included Sissel Aurland, Eva Avi Iona, Zina Bercovici, Therese Boisclair, Dagmar Calais, Allessia Carrara, Julia Carter, Leila Chalabi, Cosimo Corola, Randy Covey, Inger Dillan Antonsen, Nina Dreyerhenjum, Marit Eide Rosendal, Baruch Elron, Maureen Fain, Kiki Fleming, Karen Frostig, Mina Gampel, Vera Gelert, Kerry Groneng, Susan Kerr, Hilde Klomp, Solomon Leviev, Mais, Idit Makover, Einat Maor, Yeruham Mezan, Hanna Oren Huppert, Bruno Pascal, Nikki Perzuck, Renee Politzer, Liat Polotsky, Barbara Robinsohn, Ruthy Segal, Edy Snir, Wilma Veen, Patrizia Viviana De Filippo, Vladin Vladev, Avril Doctor, Batya Bombigher and Sonja Eisenberg.
Most Spirit of Art participants made it to the Opening Night at La Galleria Pall Mall on the 21st March. They came from all over the world and stayed in central London hotels during the exhibition week. The artists thoroughly enjoyed visiting London's galleries and museums, but were rather disappointed by unexpected twist at the end of their own show in the spirit of art.
Exhibition dates were: 20 - 26 March 2011.
Text and photos by Eugenie Absalom
Spirit of Art Opening Night video. La Galleria Pall Mall, London. 21 March 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDB7rR6SqMc&feature=channel_video_title
