‘Internet Centre & Habesha Grocery’
2013
Installation
(Reclaimed interior, archival furniture)

Paradise Row, London, UK


Up until its closure in June 2013, Internet Centre & Habesha Grocery in London had been a busy 'corner-shop' and Internet Café, which offered basic computing services and foreign goods. It was frequented by a diverse group of customers mostly from the local neighbourhood seeking assistance with copying, scanning, gaming, international calls, CV compiling, translation, IT skills, electronic repairs or money transfers.

The installation combines remains of the café’s interior with an array of standard exhibition furniture. The Café’s instructional printouts are shown under Perspex, computer terminals and deteriorating furniture are arranged in the space, whilst bags of green coffee beans and spices are displayed in archival cases.


Review by Sean Ashton in Art Review