19.05.2007
The Temporary Autonomous Art event taking place in a squatted venue once used by Reuters was today obstructed by a private security firm apparentlty employed by the Virgin Media Group who allegedly own the building which has been left empty for several years until occupied by the TAA earlier in the week.
Today was the last day of the exhibition which opened on the 16th May and involves the work of over a dozen artists from around the country. The security were assaulting people attempting to enter the site and the police were called. Over the course of several hours the police attempted to figure out where the law stood on having security guards obstructing the public footpath in order to prevent people from entering a building which was lawfully occupied by someone other than the owner instructing the security firm.
While the first police to turn up instructed that it was a civil mater until the point of assault or obstruction, the security continued as before as soon as the police left. The second set of police to arrive took a more pragmatic approach. They said they’d do nothing until given advice from higher up and while they were there the security were forced to step back from pulling people off the fences when they climbed over.
Meanwhile, inside, kids played on a bouncy castle in the sunshine and people wandered around looking at the wide variety of art decorating the large commercial building. Workshops were also taking place around the building and there was a schedule of films and experimental performances.
Shortly before I left, higher ranking police had arrived and were expressing concern that they would be an unlicensed rave taking place in the building that evening as that’s what they were being told by the security firm. The police asked if they could have a look around but after a period of discussion those inside said no.
As I left at around 6pm, the situation remained that people wanting to enter the property had to climb over a ladder tied to the fence and could do so without obstruction from either security or police. It was not clear what would happen next but the exhibition is well worth a visit.
See also http://www.taaexhibitions.org/ and http://www.randomartists.org/
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Saturday 19th May 9pm
Has London gone anti-arts and culture?
The Metropolitan Police have today launched a major operation, which includes the cordoning of two public roads and involving the use of a considerable number of police officers and vehicles. Resulting in a stand off lasting over 12 hours so far, (at 8pm), the police operation has managed to prevent anyone entering on the last day of a highly successful and inspirational art exhibition.
Yes, read that again … an Art Exhibition …
Launched on Wednesday the Temporary Autonomous Art exhibition has attracted a large number of talented artists from all over Britain and Europe to produce one of the most exciting and innovative exhibitions that London has seen, achieving almost unanimous acclaim from everyone who has visited.
Running for four days from midday to midnight one would have thought that such a quality multicultural event would be celebrated by the authorities, but no, they insist that the place is going to turn in to some kind of rave and used it as an excuse to prevent the lawful access to local public highways and the building itself.
The building is full of high quality art, produced by dedicated artists and the very concept of a rave is enough to horrify anyone involved. The very thought of hundreds of works of art trashed in an illegal rave in incomprehensible, so the question must arise as to why?
Has the Met lost it’s senses? On a Saturday night when the understaffed, overstretched police force is having it’s busiest night of the week they are sent out in force to prevent an art exhibition!
Temporary Autonomous Art is (was) being held at 15-25 New North Road, London (Nr Old St) and is apparently the most dangerous event in town
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