Buried within an unassuming part of Bethnal Green, Cell Project Space is a marvellously subtle but extremely charming gallery. With great exhibitions and a great vibe from staff, not to mention the understated location, this is a true gem of the east end.
After eventually finding the place, I walked up to the entrance which appeared to be a door cut from a white gate. I proceeded curiously into the space. To my surprise I was welcomed by a change of scenery – an array of tropical plants. This wonderfully welcoming mid-city oasis acts as a seating area, lobby and walkway to the gallery situated atop the steel stairs in the loft above. It was great to see some natural colours in the most urban of settings.
I was lucky enough to catch the exhibition ‘Wine and Spirits’ by Rachel Reupke. ‘Wine and Spirits’ is a very interesting study into the relationship between social situations and alcohol, the need for drink to extinguish awkwardness and provide a comfortable convergence and what this means for us as people with our habits. The exhibition centres around a visual piece – a short silent film emphasising the meanings hidden within situations like meeting over drinks. As a concept, conversing over drinks is an age-old pass time but we don’t often think about the emotional implications of making oneself more socially open and the dependence of entertainment that alcohol can bring
The film is a visual showcase of the factors involved in these alcohol-driven situations. Using almost unflattering close-ups and delayed shots, Reupke demonstrates the cognitive process at work in these settings and sheds light on the lack of honesty and triviality that make up much of what we know as ‘meeting over drinks’.
“…in Wine and Spirits, she has more fun with constructing her locations and drawing out her shots so that they can be ‘open’ for interpretive meaning – and sellable, commodified.” – Exhibition Program.
Accompanied by an interesting range of digital images displaying varying rounds of drinks in a simplistic but representative way, this exhibition really gets you thinking about the emotional inner workings of everyday situations.
As a gallery, Cell Project Space is fantastic. The welcoming plant-life, the simple, open design of the space and quality of exhibition make this a gem well worth visiting and with free entrance, there’s no reason not to go and have a look.
Overall Rating: 4/5
Individuality: 3/5
Price: Free
Rachel Reupke – Wine and Spirits Is exhibited Friday – Sunday until 27th October, see here.
Gems of the East End 