In the first project by London Munich Exchange [LME], 13 British and German artists descend into The Crypt beneath St Pancras to stage “Ruins of Time”, an exhibition of contemporary art that explores “time and its specific expression in the architecture of the site”. From 25 through 30 November 2015.

“built through contradictory forces…erected by its very ruin”

Like many of the old churches in London, beneath St Pancras Parish Church lies a basement crypt, which might serve as chapel, place of internment, or the deep dark place in which to store stuff the church doesn’t need above ground. In 2002, this small network of caverns under St Pancras, still a burial site for 500-odd infinite sleepers, also became an unusual contemporary art space aptly named The Crypt Gallery.

Image courtesy London-Munich Exchange.
Image courtesy London-Munich Exchange.

“Ruins of Time” is the latest exhibition that opens 25 November 2015 below St Pancras. Curated by Eleonora Bourmistrov, Milena Michalski, and Rosa Quint, a baker’s dozen of artists from Germany and the UK will install their work for a week-long showcase that includes installation, object/sculpture, 2-D pieces, site-specific artwork, and more, where each artwork somehow relates to the idea of ruin or the passage of time, as well as possibly revealing something of the space itself.

Sasha Bowles, ‘Inquisitors’ from ‘Interventions’ series, 2015, oil on found image. Image courtesy the artist.
Nicholas Cheeseman, untitled, 2015, wood, paint, corrugated card. Image courtesy the artist.
Kelise Franclemont, ‘Mt Scopus overlooking Jerusalem’, from ‘Postcards from the Land of No People’, 2015, printed postcard. Image courtesy the artist.

The exhibition is the first of a planned series of projects from London-Munich Exchange [LME], a burgeoning collective of artists who presently work in Britain and/or Germany. LME developed “Ruins of Time” with subsequent exhibitions planned in Munich in 2016.

Ruth Hentsch, ‘Head’, date unknown, watercolour, salt, pigment on paper. Image courtesy the artist.
Anna Levy, ‘Becoming’, 2014, still from animation. Image courtesy the artist.
Monika Kita, ‘Memory’ , 2013, still image from HD digital film. Image courtesy the artist.
Eleonora Bourmistrov, ‘An Entropic Painting’, 2014, Acrylic, sand, volcanic ash, pigments, glass, spray on canvas. Image courtesy the artist.

Eleonora Bourmistrov, LME Director and overall curator of “Ruins of Time“, entreats the artists to “…consider the specific, historical, architectural and sacral aspects of [The Crypt Gallery], and its connection to the present, focusing on ideas revolving around time, space and place”.  

Milena Michalski, ‘Two Towers Talk’, date unknown, installation detail. Image courtesy the artist.
Despina Olbrich-Marianou, ‘Tales’, 2004, installation and performance. Image courtesy the artist.
Brigitte C. Reichl, ‘What kind of loss is lurking in your soul’, 2003, installation, Image courtesy the artist.

On Friday 27 November 2015, a day-long programme of artist-led discussions and tours at The Crypt Gallery is an integral part of “Ruins of Time“, aimed to engage visitors and artists in dialogue around such themes as transience and temporality, memory cultural artefacts, or perception of when and where.

Carin E. Stoller, title unknown, date unknown, oil on canvas. Image courtesy the artist.
Jonathan Slaughter, ‘Environ’, 2015, PVC tubing. Image courtesy the artist.
Rosa Quint, ‘Reisealtaere’, 2004, mixed media. Image courtesy the artist.

“Ruins of Time” promises to be an intriguing exhibition in the remarkable London space that is The Crypt Gallery.

[Update 11/02/2016] If you missed seeing “Ruins of Time”, click the link to walk through the virtual tour here: https://vimeo.com/154992121 [Vimeo, duration 13:02 minutes]

Participating artists in “Ruins of Time” (25-30 November 2015) are:

Eleonora Bourmistrov, Sasha Bowles, Nicholas Cheeseman, Kelise Franclemont, Ruth Hentsch, Monika Kita, Anna Levy, Milena Michalski, Despina Olbrich-Marianou, Brigitte C. Reichl, Rosa Quint, Jonathan Slaughter, and Carin E. Stoller.

Curated by Eleonora Bourmistrov (project and LME), Milena Michalski (London), and Rosa Quint (Munich)

More links and info about “Ruins of Time”

Interior view of The Crypt Gallery, St Pancras, London. Photo credit Kelise Franclemont.
Interior view of The Crypt Gallery, St Pancras, London. Photo credit Kelise Franclemont.

Exhibition details: “Ruins of Time” exhibition is open from 26-30 November 2015 at The Crypt Gallery, St Pancras Church, Euston Road, London NW1 2BA. Entrance on Duke’s Road, nearest tube: Euston and Euston Square. Free admission; access is not step-free. 

Opening hours: 26-30 November 2015, 11:00 to 6:00PM

Private view: Wednesday 25 November 2015, 6:00 to 9:00PM

For further information, please contact Eleonora Bourmistrov at info@elbourmistrov.de

“Ruins of Time” is founded by London Munich Exchange [LME] and generously supported by the City of Munich Department of Arts and Culture.

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