All bets off as old casino revealed as artist’s project site
‘Perfect’ venue for My Dog Sighs
IT’S something that’s been baffling art-lovers for months now.
Portsmouth artist My Dog Sighs has been leaving hints and clues across the city – even in the pages of The News in a series of cryptic adverts – as to the secret location of his forthcoming exhibition, Inside.
The News can exclusively reveal today that it is in the old casino on Osborne Road, Southsea.
My Dog Sighs said: ‘When I started thinking about this project two years ago I had a specific building in mind.
‘I was having difficulty getting the owner’s permission so I started looking for other options.
‘I knew the casino because the owner had let me paint the outside for a previous project.
‘When he let me inside I instantly knew how perfect it wasforme.
‘I was delighted that I was given his permission to use it.’
More than 1,000 tickets sold for Inside in the first 15 minutes they were on sale, and although the opening weekend is now sold out, there are still plenty of tickets left.
The exhibition will run from Friday, July 16 to Sunday, August 1 – giving children the chance to come in their school holidays.
The building was originally built as a ballroom and
When he (site owner) let me inside I instantly knew how perfect it was for me.
My Dog Sighs
known for many years as Kimbells.
In the 1960s it hosted live bands including Led Zeppelin, the Yardbirds with Eric Clapton, the Tremelos and Manfred Man.
It hosted regular supper dances, local functions such as Portsmouth Football Association Presentation Dance and was a popular destination for family celebrations.
At some time, thought to be the 1970s, the staircase to the upper floors was boarded up and it is thought the space wasn’t used after that.
When My Dog Sighs first entered the building he had to climb through a hole in the wall and deal with the accumulated dust and the pigeons which had made it their home.
The internationally renowned artist took inspiration from the faded grandeur and used it as the backdrop for his exhibition which highlights how lost spaces can be repurposed in creative ways.
Building owner Farid Yeganeh, who also owns the Queens Hotel next door, said: ‘I’m a big fan of My Dog Sighs work and I’m excited that I could help him with this project.
‘I’ve been fortunate to see some sneak peaks as this project has developed and it’s an amazing use of the space.
‘Portsmouth is a very creative city and I am pleased to play a part in highlighting that and sponsoring the exhibition.’
Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for conessions and children go free.
They are available from mydogsighs.co.uk.
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