ICA Gallery

The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) is the place to be for a refreshing and eye opening experience. It’s the perfect antidote to a day at work in front of the computer screen (don’t we all suffer from PC fatigue?!). The ICA sits handsomely on The Mall in London, housed in Nash House, a stunning 19th century stucco fronted building designed by John Nash and built in 1827 – 1832.

Last night’s visit was no exception. The ICA has invited Shunt to curate a weekend of weird and wonderful excitement, which was a real feast for the eyes. The gallery was filled with battered tables, chairs and sofas where visitors could enjoy a beverage and soak in the surrounding action. There was live music, the Prisoner’s Cinema (an old piano and other instruments coming to life with a cacophony of rust and stone, oak and glass and hair), the Ordinary Adventures Arcade (two sewing machines taking on the role of street racers in a two player game) and so much more. Passing the concourse, I admired the London Walls exhibition, which is new photography from six of London’s best photographers documenting street art. It was very insightful. The ICA café / bar is really great and I was particularly impressed with the cocktail menu, which for London is quite reasonable, at £7 a drink. The headsets hanging from the tables also intrigued me. Putting them on, I was in my own little world (most noise was successfully cancelled out) and I could choose from a variety of music stations. What a genius idea!

At 7.30 I eagerly queued up for the Un-Cuckoo production, which they were showing in the theatre. It was described as “merging puppetry and the body, Un-Cuckoo delves into the labyrinth of sub-conscious.” The show started and a couple of “creations” sat at the side playing music, whilst two “creatures” gently swayed and caressed each other in the middle of the stage. Then another “one” appeared, making strange noises, followed by a creature, which came thumping down the stairs… and so the show went on! How can I describe it?! It was certainly an experience and full of surprises and grunts. It was alternative and very different. Eye opening. As I left the ICA, there was an ‘actor’ shouting in the hall and lots more wonderful chaos filling the place. There’s lots more in store these next few days, until 27th February, when the event finishes. Definitely worth a visit, but go early as I know people were queuing to get in later in the evening.