And while it Deptford, deliberately so, a journey made just for the promise that exhibition at APT, it would e rude not to a quick look down that alley where the gallery called Xxija Hii can be found alongside what seems to be an ever evolving collection of small art spaces. Initially established as an online platform, Plicnik Space Initiative is now a bit of a Marie Celeste of a small art space down in that alley off Deptford High Street where small galleries have been quietly gathering for a few years now. They say on their website that the space “investigates the interplay between online and physical territories. Our projects propose experimental environments and contexts for artists to create work in, opening discourse on the modalities of art exhibiting”. Right now in the space devoid of any real sign of humanity you can currently find Step 1. Request Lambo, a two person show featuring works by Theo Ellison and Theo Papandreopoulos

“In this opening entry, the works examine the tension between a romanticised ideal of unyielding strength and a vulnerable reality. Archetypes and excessive contemporary symbolism melt into confusion, echoing the fragmentation of online factions and IRL identities” and well, there a small square box of a unit, the door is unlocked, there’s clearly some kind of art exhibition taking place in the bright white light of the very white cube, there’s no sign of life, there’s a couple of tablet computer screens tethered together and hang on the wall in the manner of paintings, they’re providing the sound that’s mostly going in one ear and out of the other as some kind of visual engagement is sort. There’s a chocolate rabbit still in the golden wrapping sitting at the top of one of the sets of stairs and really there’s nothing in here that’s making me want to pick up the show statement that’s sitting on the other set of steps, here’s another #43SecondFilm…

“We would like to invite you to Step 1. Request Lambo, a duo show with works by Theo Ellison and Theo Papandreopoulos. This show marks the first entry in a four-part inquiry into our times. The series follows a persistent momentum—a pursuit where a drive for results collides with uncertainty.  A generative machine’s utopian vision of space may overlook the circulation of human bodies within. Over the course of Steps 1 through 4, the same spatial parameters are reshuffled, offering a glitched, virtual interpretation of a simple architectural premise. A dice roll determines the arrangement of the space, creating absurd outcomes. The installation’s core elements, a pair of stairs—suspended between ornament and function, ascension and concealment—challenge the limits of the gallery space and its vantage points. In this opening entry, the works examine the tension between a romanticised ideal of unyielding strength and a vulnerable reality. Archetypes and excessive contemporary symbolism melt into confusion, echoing the fragmentation of online factions and IRL identities…” and well, I spent a few minutes, five, maybe more, who knows why? Trying to connect maybe? Waiting for something to talk to me? I guess the other steps later on might take us somewhere, I somehow doubt anything in this first step is suggesting I bother to make the effort and another journey over the river to find out about the next stop, probably don’t watch this space, but then again, if I should be passing although there’s very rarely much at the Enclave spaces that really engages, dare I say they all feel a little too full of themselves along that row? You wonder how many actual Deptford people feel inclined to go in? “Please do not add us to any mailing lists” say the self-important rather unfriendly Xxija Hii who happily add you to theirs without asking. Xxija Hii Gallery occupy another of the small Enclave white cubed spaces. 

There’s a pile of biscuits standing in the middle of the small Xxija Hii  gallery space, you wonder if they’re just stacked or if they’ve been glued together, you secretly hope a passing mouse of rat might find a way in during the night, or even in the day time and if it did would anyone notice? Another white cube of a space, much like the last one, this time someone does stick their head out of a back space and I guess, having assessed if it look like a biscuit thief or not, mutters something about me being welcome to take a show statement before abruptly retreating and closing the door again. They’re big on words and show statements in this Gallery, one of those places that likes talking it. The masking tape obscuring the entire front door and window is kind of amusing, there’s some pieces of art hanging on the walls, is the one propped up facing the wall intentional or has it just fallen off and been left there? 

“Xxjira Hii is pleased to present Proscenium, the debut solo exhibition of London based artist Max Petts. Proscenium, short for proscenium arch, is the frame or arch separating a stage from the auditorium and through which the action of a play is viewed. Comprising five paintings and a sculpture, the exhibition continues Petts’ longstanding interest in framing (in its various complex forms) and the structural relations between images and objects that allow meaning to develop.  Gallery as stage, object as prop, looking as event….”  I did some looking and then I left, went and bought some biscuits and a bag of oranges off Deptford Market, left a couple of leaves and left… (sw)  

Proscenium is on at Xxija Hii until May 17th 2025. Xxijra Hii is found at Enclave 4, 50 Resolution Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AL. The space is is only open on a Friday and Saturday from 12-6pm or by appointment. Plicnik Space Initiative is a couple of doors along and keeps the same times, except in August when they don’t bother (overworked themselves probably) Step 1. Request Lambo is on until May 24th

As always, do click on an image to see the whole thing or to run the slide show…