‘WATCH THIS SPACE’
‘Watch This Space’ is an innovative concept developed by specialist Arts PRs, Curators and Project Managers Lee Johnson and Bakul Patki.
In these downbeat times of recession, they noticed an increasing amount of prime retail space in Central London sitting empty. Inspired by the growing trend of ‘Pop-Up shops’ and past experiences of using lent space to exhibit the work of upcoming talent, they decided to set up ‘Watch This Space’ in order to make use of these properties by filling them with the work of independent artists.
As sponsorship budgets for Arts projects are being slashed, the number of talented Artists, Photographers, Filmmakers and Designers contacting Lee and Bakul with creative ideas continues to grow. Many of these, whether they have recently graduated or been on the scene for a while, have two things in common: the quality of their work and their lack of the large funds required to secure an exhibition or performance space.
‘Watch This Space’ proposes to act as a facilitator for both the Artists and the Landlords who find themselves with empty buildings, whether in the long or short term – providing a curatorial, production and promotional service and seeing each individual project through from conception to fruition. Lee and Bakul’s joint ambition is to install Pop-Up exhibitions of Art, Photography, Fashion and Design, as well as Performance and Film events. Their bulging roster of Artists means they are able to cipher work into the most appropriate venues, at short notice and with flexibility; benefiting both parties.
For the Artists these spaces will provide a chance to expose their work to the public in a central location, and for the Landlords the work will provide creative content for their properties – generating a buzz within the area and a sense of pro-activity, positivity and artistic patronage in what would otherwise stand as a physical representation of the current economic depression.
With over twenty years combined experience of working in the Arts, both as Producers and PRs, Lee and Bakul are ideally suited to manage these installations, as well as being able to ensure the projects are promoted in the relevant press. Their extensive contacts, which include key media, Critics, and Editors, members of the arts industries, Celebrities, Collectors, Gallerists, Curators and Entrepreneurs, mean that their events are guaranteed to attract exactly the people that both the landlords and artists want to access.
‘Watch This Space’ encourages continued creative confidence through uncertain times.
For information on upcoming projects or to find out how to get involved please contact:
Lee Johnson on lee@watch-this-space.org / 07814 862 834
Bakul Patki on bakul@watch-this-space.org / 07984 462 358
www.watch-this-space.org
The Watch This Space website is currently under construction
