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A New Cultural Hub Emerges on King's Road: The Gaumont's Rebirth
The Gaumont, once a beloved cinema on King's Road, has been reimagined as a creative hub that promises an exciting blend of experiences. The transformed building now houses a rooftop bar, cinema, office space, residential apartments, retail outlets, and even a pub theatre.
At the heart of this transformation is a significant new site-specific artwork, "Cascade" by Shezad Dawood, permanently installed on the building's façade. This large-scale, permanent ceramic diptych serves as a visual and thematic link between the building's cinematic past and its contemporary cultural function.
"Cascade" consists of two large vertical ceramic panels, each 6 by 3 meters in size, made up of 144 hand-glazed tiles with sculpted details. The artwork depicts a full moon passing through the night sky, paying homage to the site's heritage as a key location in early cinema history, notably referencing Georges Méliès’s pioneering film A Trip to the Moon, which the original theatre helped distribute.
The work also draws on local cultural and artistic influences, such as James Abbott McNeill Whistler’s Nocturne in Black and Gold, a painting depicting fireworks over the Thames in Chelsea, and the gothic horror novels Dracula and Frankenstein by Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley, who lived locally.
The reimagined Gaumont is more than just a landmark; it's a £235 million development by Cadogan that encompasses fashion retail, an arthouse cinema, office space, residential apartments, hospitality venues, and a pub theatre.
Meanwhile, Benares, a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Mayfair, has recently undergone a refurbishment and menu revamp. Executive chef Sameer Taneja offers a mouthwatering culinary experience with dishes like elevated street snacks, oyster vindaloo, and traditional curries.
Elsewhere, Charlotte Gunn spent the week exploring her neighbourhood, discovering new openings like Frankie's wine and charcuterie bar, Acre restaurant for weekend brunch, Marvee's Food Shop offering elevated Caribbean food, and Eel Sushi, which has been packed since opening due to its excellent sashimi and nigiri.
As for those seeking a place to stay in Mérida, Mexico, where Anna Fixsen recently returned from a ten-day holiday, Hotel Cigno offers an elegant and intimate boutique property located in Mérida's historic heart.
In another artistic development, Nick Vinson, who was placed in the 'emerald' class, created a diorama named 24 ways to wash a cornichon. Meanwhile, Gabriel Annouka attended the opening night of 'LMK WHEN YOU REACH' by Bernice Mulenga, an exhibition featuring chaotic but powerful, tender, and defiant photographs.
References: [1] The Art Newspaper (2022) Shezad Dawood unveils major new work at The Gaumont, London. [Online] Available at: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/shezad-dawood-unveils-major-new-work-at-the-gaumont-london [2] The Guardian (2022) The Gaumont: King's Road cinema reopens as a cultural hub. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/feb/09/the-gaumont-kings-road-cinema-reopens-as-a-cultural-hub [5] Evening Standard (2022) The Gaumont: King's Road cinema reopens as a cultural hub. [Online] Available at: https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/things-to-do/the-gaumont-kings-road-cinema-reopens-as-a-cultural-hub-b1009191.html
- The reimagined Gaumont offers a unique lifestyle experience, blending food-and-drink options like the rooftop bar and the Michelin-starred Benares, with home-and-garden elements in the residential apartments.
- Travelers looking for a memorable stay in Mérida, Mexico, can explore the home-and-garden ambiance of Hotel Cigno, while food-and-drink aficionados can savor various dishes from local eateries such as Frankie's wine and charcuterie bar and Eel Sushi.
