LimeWharf, a new Hackney-based canal side futures gallery and cultural laboratory, will open in March 2013. Located in the heart of East London’s creative quarter on Vyner Street, this innovative and experimental centre will welcome both artists and scientists to collaborate in residencies, think-tank areas and stimulating exhibitions. The space aims to engage with the public and local communities through a series of participatory and sensual exhibitions and events tackling various and diverse topics ranging from DIY ethics and sustainable practises to cutting edge technologies.
Founded by urbanist designer Thomas Ermacora, LimeWharf is an evolving and pioneering project that will immerse guests and artists alike. From his background in geography and international affairs, Thomas naturally migrated towards architecture and communication – with a focus on sustainable lifestyles – whilst working with European foresight organisations. Thomas is joined by Curator at Large and creative independent Joana Seguro, whose curatorial work in sound art and science has seen her deliver projects for the Wellcome Trust, The Royal Opera House and Alderburgh Music.
The inaugural Kitchen Experiment, a biannual three-week season of salon-inspired, food-focused events, entitled ‘Eat the World’, will launch on 7th March 2013. The thematic pop-up kitchen, a union of a salon and feast will encourage lively debate and conversation, with special performances and commissioned events. Guests will dine seated around the Worldscape, a colossal sculptural table which mirrors the world’s geographic contours. The table, designed by architect Alex Haw, and food by Modern Pantry’s Anna Hansen, will create an immersive environment prompting unprecedented dining relationships.
LimeWharf aims to cultivate multidisciplinary hands-on conversations and explore new narratives that will inspire, spark synergies and imagine what futures may unfold.
Thomas Ermacora, Founder and Curator in Residence: Thomas Ermacora, is an acknowledged artistic and social entrepreneur whose previous ventures span the Eco design, new media, slow food, and technology sectors. He has successfully collaborated with many notable figures, from Frank Gehry to Jan Gehl, Paul Cunningham, and Imogen Heap with whom he co-produced and curated the first ever crowd sourced HD nature film. During the past few years, Thomas has focused on pioneering smart urbanism by founding visionary non-profit Clear-Village.Org, which is currently working on innovative participatory regeneration projects focused on upgrading existing communities across Europe.
After a decade advising diverse influence organisations and think tanks such Bioneers, Worldchanging, INDEX, Club of Amsterdam and RIBA Building Futures, whilst also acting as a business angel for early stage start-ups in bio mimicry, material science, AI, renewable energy, CSR, streaming media and web publishing, Thomas is now consolidating these multifaceted experiences at LimeWharf, which will function as an incubation hub hosting raw, cultural and scientific experiments to encourage hands-on futurology.
Joana Seguro, Director and Curator at Large
Joana Seguro is an independent producer and curator working in electronic music and new technology, with a growing interest and strong track record in linking these two fields across other forms and disciplines. Joana came to the UK from Portugal fifteen years ago as a pharmacology student, and pursued her passion for the underground scene she discovered here. Since then, she has built a successful career creating an eclectic, fluid range of projects and events with the artists who excite her. These projects range from conceiving, producing and developing her own club nights to curating international festivals, artist management, producing tours and one-off projects, alongside work for some of the major record companies (Mute, Warp and Virgin Records) specialising in electronic music.
In 2001, she set up her own company Lumin, of which she is owner and Director, and throughout has pursued partnerships with some of the major cultural institutions active in contemporary arts. She regularly advises organizations of contemporary music including PRSf and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation amongst others. Previous projects include the Ether Festival at South Bank, Shhh! Goes digital at the V&A, Hayward Nights, 555, Faster Than Sound ( part of Aldeburgh Festival ) and many more. In 2006 she completed a Wellcome Trust funded Clore Leadership Fellowship on Arts Leadership. Joana was also Sound Producer for BAC/Punchdrunk¹s The Masque of Red Death, Culture Tutor of the IDE department at the Royal College of Art and executive producer for The Longplayer Trust and Music Curator of EVENTO-Bordeaux¹s Art, Architecture Biennial and Deloitte:Ignite Just Tell The Truth Festival at Royal Opera House curated by Mike Figgis in September 2011. Her most recent project was as associate producer for the Serpentine Gallery working on the Yoko Ono Into The Light Smile Installation.
