REVIEW: CARDIFF ARTS INSTITUTE
It was the launch of Cardiff Arts Institute this weekend. So how did they do?
There’s been a lot of hype around Cardiff Arts Institute. Seen by many as a rival to Buffalo and 10 Feet Tall, its cheeky interior and attractive, original design gives it a much less sober, more playful feel than its obvious competitors. By youthful we mean like the designers spent the entire decorating period listening to Hudson Mohawke and reading back issues of Whizzer And Chips, because they’ve poured a lot of imagination into this place. On the outside its windows are blocked out with big, colourful squares, making it look a bit like a nursery. And inside there’s cartoons, chintz and a lego wall:
Cardiff illustrators Designer Violence are behind most of the artwork visible all around CAI, and there are lots of neat little jokes dotted around, although the biggest one has been lost on a few people. Cardiff Arts Institute isn’t really an institute, y’see – for all its kitsch design touches, it’s still a bar, canteen and occasional live music venue. Huh. On the topic of live music, it’ll be interesting to see how it works in the main live area which is down some stairs (although Cate Le Bon was magnificent on launch night on the ‘acoustic stage’ by the doors).
On the down side, the cringey manifesto and ‘Nothing Special’ wallpaper are two mildly masturbatory touches that didn’t quite hit the mark. Still, the CAI is unlike anywhere else in Cardiff and all the better for it. The launch party was a lovely affair and the breadth of names they’ve pulled in makes for an impressive resume. CAI is extremely well connected, not least because it’s part owned by the Lock Tavern in Camden, London, and as well as featuring residencies from locals like John Rostron & Jen Long, Kruger DJs and Batucada Basics, it will also host a handful of juicy one-offs that include Rob Da Bank and 1920s hip-hop chaps The Correspondents.
Good for:Â Guardianistas, hipsters, hippies & Lego enthusiasts
Bad for: those looking for somewhere to watch the rugby
(BB)
Just a comment on the Nothing Special wallpaper.
It is a piece designed in the late 80′s by Mark D’amico and offered for free to the CAI in support of those lovely Milgi girls who loved it when they saw it in his studio as children. They could not get their heads around it at the time and it seems things have not changed in 30 years. Relax, it’s a bit of fun!
Mick
Fair enough. At the risk of contradicting myself, I admire the personal touches of the venue but do feel that in-jokes are always tricky territory because they can be cliquey. I don’t like the wallpaper but it is, let’s face it, a very minor issue in an otherwise fantastic venue.
CAI was always going to come under a little more scrutiny than other openings in Cardiff, because of the anticipation surrounding its launch, but I hope that our attention to detail hasn’t detracted from the thrust of the review: the institute is a great addition to the city.
BB
good review BB, bang on the head with Guardianistas and lego lovers
Point taken, it was a very good and positive review
Mick