If you could change one thing what would it be? Greek performance artist Tomàs Diafas asks the question to visitors to the new Cork Street home of Nahmad Projects. We write our answers on a piece of paper, and he gathers them up and bellows them out with his back to the audience. ‘Grandmother.’ ‘Job.’ ‘Girlfriend.’ Everyone laughs. He remains impassive.
The event marks the opening of the new gallery space, founded by Joseph Nahmad, 27-year-old member of the Nahmad art dealing dynasty. The revamped space will focus on contemporary emerging artists, main operations (post war and modern art) having decamped to St James’s Square last year.
‘We want to change the gallery model,’ says Nahmad Projects co-director Tommaso Calabro, ‘in here, there’s not really anything to buy.’ Calabro and Nahmad who have a combined age of 53, will bring in performances and site specific installations chosen by a mix of international curators and there’s little to take away but experiences.
The opening show, entitled 'I am NOT Tino Sehgal', is curated by Francesco Bonami and features 30 young artists across 30 days. Expect a band performing live without instruments, choreographed sleep sessions and unusual language lessons, all with full audience participation.
‘It’s no longer valid to just think of a gallery in fixed terms,’ urges Calabro. ‘It should be a boundary free space for everyone,’ adds Nahmad, who has been immersed in art since birth and was attending auctions aged 10.
Diafas' voice suddenly interrupts. ‘Nothing’ he cries. Who’s the one with the perfect life, we wonder. Nahmad admits it was him.
The opening show, entitled 'I am NOT Tino Sehgal', is curated by Francesco Bonami and features 30 young artists across 30 days. Pictured: a choreographed sleep session
‘We want to change the gallery model,’ says Nahmad Projects co-director Tommaso Calabro, ‘in here, there’s not really anything to buy.’ Instead, all you can take away with you are experiences
Greek performance artist Tomàs Diafas asks visitors 'If you could change one thing what would it be?'
INFORMATION
’I am NOT Tino Sehgal’ continues until July 2016. For more information, visit the Nahmad Projects website
Photography: Benedict Johnson. Courtesy the artist and Nahmad Projects London
ADDRESS
2 Cork St, London, W1S 3LB
-
All eyes on Greek jewellery brand Lito as it launches bold new amulets to mark its 25 yearsStriking amulets, seductive stones and secret messages characterise Lito's striking new anniversary collection, an extension of its ‘Tu es Partout’ series
-
Ralph Pucci’s new Provence exhibition celebrates sculpture in its purest formTo mark 70 years of Ralph Pucci International, the New York gallery is collaborating with top designers to bring scaled, textural forms to Château La Coste
-
A Laurel Canyon house shows off its midcentury architecture bonesWe step inside a refreshed modernist Laurel Canyon house, the family home of Annie Ritz and Daniel Rabin of And And And Studio
