Email recorded notes following initial impressions following the first visit to Tiles Lewisham 

 

​

I was struck by its unobtrusiveness, its facade hidden around the corner. a more obvious doorway next door took me into Mori, another space (and one I was hoping to visit anyway) where as soon as I entered I realised that I had intruded on a private space - a gallery in process and not yet open to the public. A quick explanation soon followed and after a brief conversational interlude of pleasantries I asked for directions to Tiles, which was literally next door

 

Small text on the frosted glass facade describes the place, and as soon as I get a look inside I know I’ve arrived, there’s no mistaking the name with the decor it describes here.

 

It’s a mish mash of tiles, all sizes, muted tones and quaint patterns, with a few stand out blue and white Greek style squares. The vibe is reminiscent of decades ago, collected pieces carefully patched and mosaicked together to make something of this once run down room. I can’t tell what was here originally and what the operators have constructed or extended on. There are some clues - the tiled display bench for previous meats. A drain in the floor for bloody water. It feels like a spa room that’s been distorted through various lifetimes of its past occupants

 

The room itself is constructed, but perhaps these gathered tiles have seen other rooms before (or were intended for other rooms but never used?) so the presence of many places and people is felt here in a cacophonous way, yet is strangely inviting.

 

Unlike a white cube gallery / black box space etc its not the room that is transformed. here the room always remains the same. It’s the art that is transient and only visiting. The space doesn’t seem to adapt to its inhabitants, rather the inhabitants adapt to the room. We find ways to fit within these shapes textures walls and pathways.

 

How am I formed by this space ? how does it affect me ? what will my response entail - to reframe, to draw attention to, to rebel against, to interrupt, to highlight, to extend on, to rebel against, to mimick, to ignore... how will I affect the room? this is a place that inspires a response

 

the room acts like an embrace - it overwhelms you with its presence.

 

how do rooms free or constrain our movement and behavior...

 

what do i take with me when I leave, and what stays with me. Is there anything I leave behind ?

​