The Horse Hospital is the birthplace of Strange Attractor, and its spiritual home.
We have managed to negotiate a contract to stay here and continue with our scheduled program until the end of March 2015. Although it leaves us no time at all, we have decided to do everything within our capacity to secure the building and somehow or other raise the necessary funds.
The Horse Hospital as an arts organization is intrinsically tied into the fabric of the building and in 2004 under the imminent threat of redevelopment, we thoroughly researched the history of this beautiful building and upon application to English Heritage it was promptly awarded a Grade 2, making The Horse Hospital a slightly less attractive prospect for property developers, we hoped..!
Built originally by James Burton in 1797 as stabling for cabby’s sick horses, The Horse Hospital is the only existing unspoilt example of a two-floor, purpose-built stable remaining for public access in London and is now an important Grade II listed building which has operated a Not For Profit policy, and provided space for underground and Avant-Garde media since 1993. It also houses and is supported by the ‘Contemporary Wardrobe Collection’, a fashion archive that specialises in post-war street fashion, sub-cultures and British design.
So, however challenging it has been, the rewards of being nonpartisan keepers of culture in this magnificent and idiosyncratic building have been manifold and profound. We are incredibly proud of the fact that since 1993 we have not only been fortunate enough to have shown a vast amount of amazing work by some of the underworlds true visionaries such as Joe Coleman, Helen Chadwick, Brice Dellsperger, Dennis Cooper, Cameron Jamie, Laurie Lipton, Bruce Bickford, Gee Vaucher & Crass, Vivienne Westwood & Malcolm McLaren, Franko B, Morton Bartlett, Craig Baldwin, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Lydia Lunch, Bjaarne Melgard to name but a few, but that we have also had the privilege to support and introduce literally hundreds of obscure artists, performers, filmmakers and writers, who may otherwise have been denied a voice by more mainstream organisations, to an ever-growing, receptive and appreciative audience.
Whether we can raise that kind of money remains to be seen, but having invested over 20 years in the building we intend to do everything in our power to make it happen, it’s a massive task but we remain firmly optimistic that with everyone’s help it is possible.
In a climate where any grass roots, alternative or independent endeavours are being swept away into the dust of history it is vital that the spirit and ethos that we wholeheartedly embrace as an organization is given a chance to survive in these ever more capitalist, corporate and homogenous times.
Any and all suggestions welcome to: popculture@thehorsehospital.com
