The Wapping Project – On Paper

East London arts space the Wapping Project officially opened in 2000 and closed down last year, reportedly following disputes with neighbours over noise and disturbance from the venue.

The former hydraulic power station that housed the Wapping Project
The former hydraulic power station that housed the Wapping Project

The Wapping Project was housed in a former hydraulic power station built in 1890. During the 1990s, the then-derelict space was used by the Womens Playhouse Trust and WPT director Jules Wright eventually took it on to create the Wapping Project.

Industrial architecture at the Wapping Project
Industrial architecture at the Wapping Project

Through its 13-year run, the Wapping Project hosted installations and performances from the likes of Keith Haring, Richard Wilson and Jonathan Ellery. Its mixture of astonishing architecture and bold programming led Guardian critic Rowan Moore to describe it as ‘the sort of place that makes city life worth living’.

Renovation work
Renovation work

The story of the Wapping Project is told through a new book, edited by Wright and authored and designed by Imogen Eveson, with Freddy Wilson.

Work by Yohji Yamamoto
Work by Yohji Yamamoto

The book tells the story of the history and restoration of the Wapping Project Building, before documenting a series of the key shows held there, through text, images and archive cuttings.

Work by Keith Haring
Work by Keith Haring

Eveson says, ‘I wanted to create something that, like the Wapping Project itself, feels freewheeling, surprising and unbridled yet has a strong, directional undercurrent running throughout.’

The Wapping Project On Paper is published by Black Dog priced at £29.95.

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