Here at Hackney Downs railway station, we find Banner Repeater. Have you noticed this unique space nestled right here on the platform?
Banner Repeater is not your typical gallery. It is an artist-run reading room and project space. Ami Clarke founded it in 2010. Its name comes from a railway signal, the banner repeater.
This project thrives within a working station. It brings critical art to the public. Think about the thousands of passengers passing by daily. Banner Repeater captures their incidental footfall.
Inside, you will discover a collection of artists’ books. Other printed materials are available too. You can browse or even purchase items. Publish And Be Damned’s public library has a permanent home here.
Banner Repeater’s project space hosts exhibitions. Events and performances also take place. Pamphlets and posters are published. These are free to take from the library trolley on the platform. If Banner Repeater is closed, check the box outside the reading room.
The opening hours are designed to target early morning commuters. You can visit Tuesday to Thursday from 8 to 11 am. Friday hours are 8 am to 6 pm. Weekend hours are noon to 6 pm.
Banner Repeater has received support from various organizations. These include Arts Council England and Hackney Council. The initial funding came from the Empty Shop Fund. This initiative aimed to revitalize empty spaces.
The reading room’s archive is a valuable resource. It is a permanent browsing library. Artists and publishers contribute to this collection. Many independent publishers are represented.
The online archive mirrors the physical collection. You can search for artists on the website. The website also features an online shop. It sells many of the books found in the reading room including rare finds.
The project space is dedicated to publishing ideas. It explores material distribution. A series of talks by artists and writers are hosted. Some of these are available on the website.
A reading group meets regularly. They focus on artists’ printed material. Artists’ readings are commissioned throughout the year. A publishing forum also convenes monthly. They publish an annual critical journal.
You can even download artworks for free from the website. The British Library archived the website in 2011. This ensures its preservation.
Banner Repeater exemplifies art in an unexpected place. It turns a railway platform into a hub of creativity. It fosters critical engagement within the daily lives of commuters and art enthusiasts alike. Take a moment to appreciate this unique intersection of art and transit.