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ART LONDON, PRESS

The Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London SW3, has been transformed into a cutting-edge sculpture garden this weekend.

Art London, which runs until Monday, features unusual pieces from around the world, displayed on the site of the Chelsea Flower Show.

Among the works are 39ft installation made from spray paint and tape by hip French street artist L'Atlas, and an octopus made from glass mosaics by former Venice Biennale exhibitor Marialuisa Tadei. Standing guard by entrance is a 7ft sculpture of the Minotaur.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/battle-over-planning-rules-ends-with-leading-art-fair-being-axed-7640001.html
Battle over planning rules ends with leading art fair being axed

Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent
Published: 12 April 2012

Art London, which has been running at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea since 1999, will not take place this year because of an ongoing battle over planning permission.

Its founder, Ralph Ward-Jackson, claimed Kensington and Chelsea council’s policies were too complicated and restrictive, and that is why he decided to close.

He said stringent requirements which meant a new application to erect tents had to be submitted every year at “huge cost”, compounded by rules on how many events could take place at the Royal Hospital site, had made the fair’s position untenable.

The final nail in the coffin was the venue’s decision not to renew the fair’s tenancy agreement, which the Art London boss claimed was connected to the local authority’s restrictions.

“An application for a temporary tent is the same as the cost for a permanent building,” said Mr Ward-Jackson. “They also capped the number of events that could be held in particular sites in Chelsea.”

It was very difficult to find alternative sites the right size, he added. He thanked visitors, whose numbers rose from 6,000 to 16,000 over the last decade, while exhibitors rose from 28 to 90-plus.

“We are proud of the fair’s achievements and of its contribution to the vibrant London art scene. We hope a little piece of Art London will live on in the homes of those... who treasure the artworks they discovered there.”

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea did not respond to a request for a comment today.

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