Originating from Brooklyn, Faile consists of street-art pioneers Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller, whom together with their long time collaborator Bast are holding a 10-year display of their work from February 12 - March 27.
If you are the kind that's not amused by museum trips around the city, this place will give you enough to admire. Soho visitors, street art fans and youngsters on their half term break, are the other misers to keep you company.
Back in the late 90s, their graphics' like the bonnie girl and the elephant man became well known, inspired mostly by 80s populist culture. On the ground floor, thirty art works are presented in a unique way: just pull away at the trigger of the plastic machine gun, and manipulate the graphics on the screen.
Vending machines sell specially made arcade tokens for the show. The coins are valued at two pounds each - a fans 'must have', as it is minted with the name, year and a Star Wars inspired art piece.
The basement nicknamed “The Dundgeon” has two foosball tables and the small players and graphics are coated with luminescent paint. This creates a 24-hour nightlife illusion for those who prefer absolute darkness to the gloomy London weather.
“None of the galleries could be more approachable,” said Alexandra Magnuson, spokeswoman for the London exhibition. She explains the experimental show of the street art duo: “This is the first time they have exhibited in an arcade and they have covered every corner of the house by hand.”
Nearest tube: Leicester Square Underground
Have your say - info@offbeatlondon.co.uk
Greek street, in the heart of London's Soho Square, hides a fine mix of Faile and Bast art works, under the disguise of an arcade.
by Junjie Dou
published on: 20 March, 2010
Have fun playing with art
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