Yeah, art’s ok, but it’s not as good on a Saturday night as going out, having a few drinks and meeting interesting people.
On saying that, going into work/school/the dole office and telling people that the most remarkable thing you did all weekend was down a few pints and talk some nonsense can make you feel a bit stupid. The Basement’s Supper Club is the answer to this problem, combining the social element of going to a nightclub with the culture of conceptual art. And as the name suggests, you can even get food there. The tapas, we have to say, isn’t a good enough reason to visit on its own merits but the combination of something to nibble with a keenly priced bar and some of Brighton’s more interesting culture vultures makes for quite a temptation. But what of the art? At its very worst it’s a talking point (a bloke stood in plant pot asking people to throw drinks at him so he can “grow”) and at its best it’s borderline genius. From the latter category **** send pairs of strangers on a romantic treasure hunt around the city, hoping his organised vignettes would leave with feeling of having a relationship and ultimately fall in love. Elsewhere there was music from ***, a singer songwriter, and art films with audience participation. Each month brings a new theme to be explored. It might not be many people’s usual Saturday night but that’s exactly why you’ll enjoy it so much.