Article and Photo by Katherine Oon
ANNEX EAST has landed in East London for the summer.
The wave of pop-up venue in London continues giving adventurous Londoners a chance to experience a unique environment. When a friend decided to have her birthday dinner at one of the pop-up supperclub, I can’t say no to it. Quite frankly I really didn’t know what to expect when I found out we will be heading to Stratford but was excited and looking forward to it.
Timed extremely well with the Olympic, hidden in the estate just 100m from the Olympic site is an arts warehouse. Annex East made a debut transforming a rundown warehouse into a manifestation arts space in Stratford. A pop- up venue hosting a diverse selection of exhibitions, a bar with envisioned by Copenhagen-based designer Nikolaj Lorentz Mentze not to forget playing host to a pop-up supperclub run by young chef Jimmy Garcia.
Fortunately for us, we were lucky enough to have a quick chat with the lads behind Annex East before the dinner service. Annex East is overseen by 3 young cutting-edge friends who met in college with the ambitious of running projects on collaboratively transforming empty space into a creative cultural hub.
Introducing the South London lads making an art form of relaxed unpretentious hang-out with a friendly feel are creative directors Sean, Will and Bayly. Graduates from Camberwell College of Arts who come together with the project of nurture an excelling creative environment to host a broad selection of events and exhibitions for summer 2012 and with warehouse owned by a friend’s parents Alex who is also part of the Annex East. With re-inhabiting neglected spaces Annex East has emerged!
The boys has transformed the warehouse from scratch themselves, it got a real community feel about it! Simplicity, Keep it simple, keep it honest! Says Bayly who is an artist himself. The ground floor of the warehouse will host art exhibition compromising of selected cutting edge galleries that will select and exhibit one work from one artist. Annex East hopes to provide an opportunity and promote the continuation and development of arts to all.
With low metal beams, exposed brick and a very industrial like metal staircase leading up to the mezzanine above the gallery is everything a warehouse bar/ restaurant should be. The fittings, features, and furniture are custom-designed with many original items debuting at Annex East. Diners will be seated at communal tables on little wooden stools.
Annex East is currently hosting the ONE ONE ONE exhibition which will run from 26th July till 23rd August which is the first collaborative group exhibition showcasing a cross section of galleries across London with the collaboration between Lioncello Gallery, Millington | Marriott, ANDOR, COLE and Hannah Barry Gallery. This diverse selection of work engages with a wide range of themes such as the works of Neil Rumming, installation by Oliver Michales alongside with specially invited artists.
Annex East is also playing host to mark the Olympics with Jimmy Gracia’s pop-up supperclub. We hosted the Dinner and Dodgeball event a week ago, they says. Serving a four course dinner and dodgeball competition to get involved with the Olympic spirit. With diners dressed up for their team whilst enjoying a scrumptious meal prepared by Jimmy’s Supper Club sounds like a fun way to start a weekend.
Jimmy Garcia of Jimmy SupperClub will be gracing us with the four-course meal prepare behind the bar. Putting he’s own twist on the best British produce with the evening started with trio of canapés.
What can you expect from Jimmy SupperClub at Annex East? Don’t expect the silver service, the whole experience is in an informal atmosphere with the boys serving the diners to making cocktails at the bar and djing at the end of the night. It’s about having fun and enjoying good food. The dining experience in the evening comes with entertainment from quiz night to Olympic themed movie screening. DJ sets and live music until 2am. The whole concept is very DIY feel! ! From having their mates performing to serving the guests. I like the whole laidback vibe. It’ll be the venue for food, drinks, art and entertainments all under one roof.
When asked what the next step is for the boys, sleep!! They joked!
We had such a great time with our friends and truly enjoyed our evening and meeting these lovely lads from Annex East!! Support the local art scene and check out Annex East!
Thanks to Boys for the information!
The ONE ONE ONE exhibit open to the public until 23rd August and Jimmy’s Supperclub until mid-August. For more information or for booking with Jimmy, please check out
ANNEX EAST
Unit 2, Hutchins Close
Stratford
London E15 2JE
