{{Short description|London-based arts projects organisation}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=May 2013}} {{COI|date=April 2011}} '''Decima Gallery''' (also '''Decima Projects''', '''Decima International Arts''' or '''Decima''') is a London-based arts projects organisation with a reputation for irreverent projects.<ref name=HackneyGazette1>{{cite news | title = MADDIE: NO APOLOGIES | first1 = David | last1 = C. West | first2 = Alex | last2 = Chappel | url = http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/content/hackney/gazette/postbag/story.aspx?brand=HKYGOnline&category=postbag&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=postbaghkyg&itemid=WeED18%20Feb%202009%2013%3A40%3A37%3A743 | newspaper = The Hackney Gazette | publisher = Argent | location = London | date = 18 February 2009 | accessdate =13 February 2010 | quote = to state that Decima has faced "universal condemnation" is simply incorrect }}</ref> It is owned and managed by David West,<ref name=HackneyGazette1/><ref name=LondonPaper/><ref name=PeteIslam>{{cite web | url =https://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2008/04/london-pete-doherty-turning-to-islam.html | title =London: Pete Doherty turning to Islam | date =27 April 2008 | at =Islam in Europe: London | accessdate =13 February 2010 | quote =[Pete Doherty] has also failed to impress art experts, with David West, owner of London's Decima Gallery, adding, "It's not got any artistic merit. He's using his blood to make them interesting, but when you look at them they're what any four-year-old can do." }}</ref><ref name=Ghetto/> Alex Chappel,<ref name=HackneyGazette1/><ref name=LondonPaper/><ref name=Ghetto/><ref name=HackneyGazette2/> Larry McGinity <ref name=HackneyGazette2>{{cite news | title = Row over Stoke Newington Banksy rumbles on | first = Peter | last = Sherlock | url = http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/content/hackney/gazette/news/story.aspx?brand=HKYGOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newshkyg&itemid=WeED16%20Sep%202009%2015%3A53%3A30%3A957 | newspaper = The Hackney Gazette | publisher = Archant Media | location = London | date = 16 September 2009 | accessdate =13 February 2010 | quote = controversial artist group Decima Gallery... disagree. In a joint statement, directors Alex Chappel, Larry McGinity, Mark Reeves, declared "street art is dead." }}</ref> and Mark Reeves.<ref name=Ghetto/><ref name=HackneyGazette2/>
Decima have occupied various physical spaces since 1997 and have also staged a number of projects hosted by other venues, in London and around the world, including major London spaces such as the Tate Modern, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Whitechapel Gallery. Decima have also staged many conceptual, event-based and media-based projects.<ref name=LondonPaper/><ref name=HackneyGazette2/> Ralph Rugoff in a 1998 edition of ''Frieze'' called them "Neo-Publicists", describing them as not just seeking press coverage, but using mass media as an artistic medium.<ref name=Rugoff>{{Citation |last = Rugoff |first = Ralph |title = Yours Sincerely: The twisted relationship between artists, journalists and the media |url = http://www.frieze.com/issue/article/yours_sincerely/ |accessdate = 9 February 2010 |journal = Frieze Magazine |issue = 42 |date = September 1998 |location = London |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100105103042/http://www.frieze.com/issue/article/yours_sincerely |archive-date = 5 January 2010 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
As well as staging art projects, events, and club nights, Decima deals in limited edition books and prints, specialising in Gilbert & George<ref name=TimeOut2>{{cite news | title = Secret East London | first = Serena | last = Kutchinsky | url = http://www.timeout.com/london/features/8951/Secret_east_London.html | newspaper = Time Out | location = London | date = 19 October 2009 | quote = Having abandoned Shoreditch, the capital’s art squads have spent the past couple of years annexing the post-industrial wasteland of Hackney Wick. One former factory has been converted into studios with the Decima Gallery, which specialises in limited edition Gilbert & George prints, the main draw. Keep an eye out for their regular club nights. | access-date = 9 February 2010 | archive-date = 17 February 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100217034949/http://www.timeout.com/london/features/8951/Secret_east_London.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> and Stephen Gill.
A 2008 article in ''The London Paper'' described the gallery as "infamous" for its headline-grabbing stunts in the late 1990s, including the hoax "Fuckart & Pimp" exhibition where Angela Marshall pretended to offer her artwork in exchange for oral sex, the show "Was Jesus a Homosexual?" and the time that curators Alex Chappel and David West gatecrashed the Tate dressed as a pantomime cow to "make people think".<ref name=LondonPaper/>
==Origin==
David C. West worked with the Factual Nonsense Gallery alongside Joshua Compston before Compston's death on 5 March 1996.<ref name=NoFun1/> Among projects on which they collaborated was The Jack Duckworth Memorial Clinic,<ref name=Jack1>{{cite news | title = On the slippery slope to soap addiction | first = MARIANNE | last = MACDONALD | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/on-the-slippery-slope-to-soap-addiction-1319185.html | newspaper = The Independent | date = 16 February 1996 | accessdate =9 February 2010 }}</ref> a spoof clinic for soap opera addicts.
In 1996, West, along with Alex Chappel, formed a "media terrorist" group called a.r.t. ("a reasonable thought"). "We use the media as a canvas for art", explained West:<ref name=LockerEssay>{{Citation |last = Locker |first = Thomas |title = Hype-Art |year = 2000 |url = http://tommyart.org/writing/hypeart/gallery6.htm#essay }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.</ref> "Stunts have included running a clinic for soap opera addicts and launching The Dennis Nilsen Tour Company.".<ref name=Rugoff/><ref name=Nilsen1>{{cite news |title = It's sick |agency = Newsquest Media Group |newspaper = Bolton Evening News |location = Lancashire, UK |date = 12 July 1996 |accessdate = 9 February 2010 |quote = THE Dennis Nilsen Tour company - named after the convicted serial murderer - is considering coach holidays to horror sites around Britain |url = http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/1996/7/12/849094.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081007224900/http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/1996/7/12/849094.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 7 October 2008 }}</ref>
==Decima Street 1997-2000== The group's name originates from the address of their first gallery space<ref name=LondonPaper/><ref name=YoursSincerely>{{Cite book | last = Ito | first = Atsuhide | editor1-last = Asis | editor1-first = Inigo | editor2-last = Schwartz | editor2-first = Nicola | series = The Pocko Collection | title = Dear, Thank You, Yours Sincerely | publisher = Pocko Editions | edition = illustrated | year = 2001 | location = London | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bHg7AAAACAAJ&q=dear,+thank+you,+yours+sincerely | isbn =978-1-903977-00-2}}</ref> which was officially launched in February 1998 at 3 Decima Studios, Decima Street, London SE1.<ref name=GuardianGuide1/><ref name=TimeOut3/>
The gallery was first occupied on 31 August 1997 by Guy Hilton, Philip Hunt, Alex Chappel and Matthew John Andrew. Guy Hilton left before the first show, later founding the Guy Hilton Gallery with Angela Friese in London's East End, in 2005. On 12 February 1998 the gallery was launched with a show named "Scott",<ref name=GuardianGuide1>{{cite news | newspaper = Guardian Guide | location = London | date = 14 February 1998 }}</ref><ref name=TimeOut3>{{cite news | newspaper = Time Out | location = London | date = 25 February 1998 }}</ref> which was organised by Matthew John Andrew and Philip Hunt.
In April 1998, Decima staged "Fuckart & Pimp", a hoaxed show that purported to feature a female artist producing paintings while having sex with clients.<ref name=Independent2> {{cite news | title = The Consummate Artist - or just selling sex? | first = Kate | last = Watson-Smyth | url = https://www.flickr.com/photos/decima/2257825558/sizes/l/in/set-72157603890533777/ | newspaper = The Independent | location = London | page=1 | date = April 1998}}
</ref><ref name=Independent3> {{cite news | title = The painting that comes with sex thrown in | newspaper = The Independent | location = London | page=7 | date = April 1998}}
</ref><ref name=Guardian2> {{cite news | title = Art World's sex venture proves a turn-off for council | first = Dan | last = Glaister | url = https://www.flickr.com/photos/decima/2257825558/sizes/l/in/set-72157603890533777/ | newspaper = The Guardian | location = London | page=2 | date = April 1998}}
</ref><ref name=SLP2> {{cite news | title = Sex Artist Show end in Turn-Off | first = Kellie | last = Redmond | url = https://www.flickr.com/photos/decima/2257824702/sizes/l/in/set-72157603890533777/ | newspaper = The South London Press | location = London | date = April 1998}}</ref>
"With delicious predictability, the Great British Public were incensed." The show was in fact a hoax.<ref name=Observer1> {{cite news | title = What a Sham... As the Shamanovs are exposed, we look at the greatest art practical jokes | first = Hermione | last = Hoby | url = https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/jul/19/shamanov-chapman-brothers-nat-tate | newspaper = The Observer | location = London | page=3 | date = 19 July 2009 | accessdate = 9 February 2010 }}
</ref><ref name=Independent1>
{{cite news | title =Con artists: Always suspected conceptual art was a bit of a hoax? It is now - spoofing with attitude is taking off all over. | first = John | last = Windsor | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/con-artists-1163230.html | newspaper = The Independent | location = London | date = 6 June 1998 | quote = One of the prime targets of spoof art is the press - those people who can't tell an artwork from a pile of bricks and who keep wittering on about taxpayers' money. Sex-for-art is as good a bait for hacks as holidays- as-art. Angela Marshall, the artist who stipulated sexual consummation with the buyers of her paintings at the Decima Gallery in Bermondsey, south London, in April, turned out to be an imposter. Then the real Ms Marshall turned up and proceeded to do the business. | accessdate = 9 February 2010 }}</ref>
Hunt and Andrew left in November 1998 after which, Decima was managed by Chappel and West.
On 21 August 1998, Decima sent a fax to the Tate informing them that they would be bringing a real cow to the Gallery to "show where food and sex connect with the world of art". It turned out to be the artists themselves as a pantomime cow. At this time, the artist Derrick Welsh was represented by and closely affiliated to Decima.<ref name=LondonPaper/><ref name=DianaTate>{{cite news |title = Stunt 'mooooved' along |first = Rachel |last = Double |url = http://tommyart.org/writing/hypeart/images/66_gallery_6_pic02.jpg |newspaper = Westminster & City mail |location = London |date = 21 August 1998 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In April 1999, Decima attempted to cause another splash with a show entitled "Was Jesus a Homosexual?" which was organised in conjunction with political philosopher Richard Morley. The Independent's Pandora column reported that:
{{blockquote|Gilbert and George have installed part of a 100-year-old fountain they purchased recently, which featured the inscription "Jesus said if any man thirst let him come to me and let him drink". This now reads "Jesus said let him come". Another exhibitor, Piers Wardle, has made a crucifix with wooden balls attached by a "string that can be played with" and called it The Miracle of Holy Balls. Charles Sayer's canvas of a naked woman, legs apart, is displayed alongside eight framed biblical texts and entitled Anti-Christ I awake thee. The piece de resistance is Andrew Putland's untitled triptych depicting a black Jesus and black disciples engaged in fellatio with Christ.<ref name=Pandora1>{{cite news | title = Pandora | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/pandora-1084124.html | newspaper = The Independent | location = London | quote = CALL THE Daily Mail and get them to send a reporter to the Decima Gallery in London's Borough, pronto - there's enough material there to fill the paper for a week. | date = 31 March 1999}}</ref>}} The exhibition also featured Swedish artist Anna Livia Löwendahl-Atomic.
When the original gallery space closed in January 2000 the name Decima continued to be used by Chappel and West for art projects.
==In limbo 2000-2007==
Decima steadily continued organising and participating in projects during 2000–2007, albeit far less frequently. During this time, those involved with Decima became involved with other offshoot and related projects.
In 2005, The Upstairs Gallery in Clerkenwell Green, London was opened by Chappel and Fiona Watson while the Guy Hilton Gallery was opened in Spitalfields, London, and an art and book sales website www.drugaddict.co.uk was launched by West.
==Gallery 2 in Hackney Wick==
Decima opened an art gallery in a former peanut factory in London's Hackney Wick area <ref name=TimeOut2/><ref name=Rogue>{{cite news | last =Sumptor | first =Helen | title =Rogue Galleries | newspaper =Time Out | location =London | page =18 | date =19 June 2008 | url =http://www.timeout.com/london/art/features/5030/East_End_art-Hackney_Wick_galleries.html | accessdate =7 February 2010 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100805074459/http://www.timeout.com/london/art/features/5030/East_End_art-Hackney_Wick_galleries.html | archive-date =5 August 2010 | url-status =dead }}</ref> on 23 February 2008 with a launch show "The Famous, The Infamous and the Really Quite Good".<ref name=LondonPaper>{{cite news |last = Holland |first = Jessica |title = Decima-tion in E3 - Shock gallery The Decima Gallery joins an east London art revolution |newspaper = The London Paper |location = London |page = 13 |publisher = News International |quote = ART for sex, gay claims for Jesus, pantomime cows – all standard fare for infamous London gallery Decima. The space, formerly in a Bermondsey back street, built up a rep in the late 90s for its headline-grabbing stunts. There was the Fuck Art and Pimp exhibition, where Angela Marshall offered her drawings for blow jobs (later unveiled as a spoof), the show Was Jesus a Homosexual?, and the time Decima’s joint curators Alex Chappel and David West gratecrashed the Tate dressed as a pantomime cow to "make people think" |date = 12 February 2008 |url = http://www.thelondonpaper.com/going-out/whats-new/hackney-art-the-decima-gallery |accessdate = 7 February 2010 |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100125084919/http://www.thelondonpaper.com/going-out/whats-new/hackney-art-the-decima-gallery |archivedate = 25 January 2010 }}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=April 2011}}
In March 2008, Decima began a collaboration with local galleries Elevator and Residence and local studios to plan a local Arts Festival, called Hackney Wicked. On 8 August, The first Hackney Wicked festival went ahead.<ref name=Rogue/>
Also during 2008, Decima launched their online project 'Decima TV' by webcasting a "chat show" in which comedian Aaron Barschak conducted a series of interviews with artists, namely the artists Bob & Roberta Smith,<ref name=Bob1>{{cite book |author=Bob & Roberta Smith |authorlink=Bob & Roberta Smith |author2-link=Matthew Collings |others=Introduction by Matthew Collings |editor-last=Dell |editor-first=Christopher |title=Hijack Reality |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7DLrAAAAMAAJ&q=%22hijack+reality%22+aaron+barschak |accessdate=13 February 2010 |year=2008 |publisher=Deptford X Ltd in association with CT Editions Ltd. |location=London |isbn=978-0-9547071-2-5 |page=63 |quote=I was recently interviewed by Aaron Barschak. }}</ref> Franko B and Mark McGowan.
Decima are on record as sceptical about the 2012 Olympics, which is planned for the Hackney Wick area. They comment in an article by Fay Nicholson "Relational Aesthetics"<ref name=Fay>[https://web.archive.org/web/20221117034611/http://www.artartartgallery.com/newsitefive/files/u1/feb08artartart1.pdf]</ref>
The Hackney Wick Decima Gallery space closed late 2008 - early 2009.
==Without walls, 2009==
Decima were criticised in January 2009 following an exhibition on Sunday 18th where they utilised images of missing three-year-old schoolgirl Madeleine McCann in a pornographic exhibition ''Make Your Own Maddy Porn''.<ref name=HackneyGazette1/> The exhibition was branded "appalling and completely insensitive" by the NSPCC.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Madeleine-image-used-porn-art/article-638042-detail/article.html |title = Madeleine image used in porn 'art' | This is Leicestershire |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120917135554/http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Madeleine-image-used-porn-art/article-638042-detail/article.html |archive-date=17 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> West and Chappel responded with a statement to the ''Hackney Gazette'', saying that "In many ways we were just trying to highlight how Madeleine McCann's image has been used and abused by the press over the past 21 months." They added that they "never intended nor wanted to cause offence to the McCann family by doing this" but acknowledged that such an outcome was "impossible to achieve".<ref name="hg">{{cite news |title=Maddie Outrage |url=https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/maddie-outrage-3394946 |access-date=25 February 2021 |work=Hackney Gazette |date=11 February 2009 }}</ref> They claimed to have been subjected to "dozens of people from Liverpool literally kicking the door in" after the gallery's details were given out on a Liverpool radio station, and the Hackney Wick gallery was closed at the end of January.<ref name="hg"/>
In July 2009, Decima exhibited in the Ghetto Gallery, Split, Croatia<ref name=Ghetto>{{cite news | last =Jerković | first =Ana | title ='Decima Gallery' priredili borbu pasa u Ghettu |trans-title='Decima Gallery' organize a dog fight in the Ghetto | newspaper =Slobodna Dalmacija | location =Croatia | page=29 | language =Croatian | date =29 July 2009 | url =http://slobodnadalmacija.hr/Kultura/tabid/81/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/63751/Default.aspx | accessdate =7 February 2010 }}</ref> and went on to stage notable exhibitions in Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany; Piccadilly, London and the Tate Modern, London.
As well as exhibitions, in 2009 Decima also organised various film projects, performance projects, art fairs, live music events and even a Berlin rave.
==Exhibitions and projects== A selection of exhibitions and projects organised by or involving Decima Gallery. Most dates are approximate: where an accurate date is shown, this refers to the launch date.
;1997 and earlier Related projects which pre-date Decima: *1995: ''The Jack Duckworth Memorial Clinic''.<ref name=Jack1/> *1996: ''A.R.T. A Reasonable Thought'' Zine Project.<ref name=Rugoff/><ref name=LockerEssay/> *1996: ''The Dennis Nilsen Tour Company''.<ref name=Rugoff/><ref name=LockerEssay/> *1997: 9 August: ''The Live Stock Market'' London. Offered Pantomime Cow rides. Organised by Gavin Turk and the Factual Nonsense Trust.<ref name=NoFun1>{{cite book |last = Cooper |first = Jeremy |title = No FuN Without U - The Art of Factual Nonsense |publisher = Ellipsis |year = 2000 |location = London |page = [https://archive.org/details/nofunwithoutuart0000coop/page/211 211] |url = https://archive.org/details/nofunwithoutuart0000coop/page/211 |isbn = 1-899858-80-6 }}</ref>
;1998 All 1998 events held at Decima Gallery, London SE1, UK unless otherwise stated. *1998: February: ''Scott'' - the inaugural show (reviewed in ''Time Out'' 25 February 1998).<ref name=GuardianGuide1/><ref name=TimeOut3/> Curated by Matthew John Andrew and Philip Hunt. *1998: March: ''290¼ pounds'' - the first solo exhibition of Matt Calderwood. Curated by Alex Chappel & Amy Plant.<ref name=CVA1>{{cite news | newspaper =Contemporary Visual Arts | first =Keith | last =Patrick | location =London | year =1998 | issue =19 | page =72 }}</ref> *1998: April: ''Fuckart & Pimp'' - a conceptual media hoax event by Chappel and West - launched 17 April 1998.<ref name=LondonPaper/><ref name=Rugoff/><ref name=Independent2/><ref name=Independent3/><ref name=Guardian2/><ref name=Observer1/><ref name=Independent1/><ref name=ExpressIndia>{{cite news | title = Sex for art | url = http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19980418/10850964.html | newspaper = The Indian Express | location = Bombay | date = 18 April 1998 | accessdate = 8 February 2010 | quote = In what would be one of the most outrageous exhibitions ever held in London, an American artist was planning to sell her body as well as her paintings, The Independent newspaper reported on Friday. }}</ref><ref name=GermaineGreer1>{{cite book |last=Greer |first=Germaine |authorlink=Germaine Greer |title=The Whole Woman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DzLaAAAAMAAJ&q=decima |accessdate=13 February 2010 |year=1999 |publisher=Doubleday |location=London |isbn=978-0-385-60016-3 |page=329 }}</ref> *1998: 29 May: ''VOIDance'' - a performance by Gitta Wellbe. Curated by Philip Hunt. *1998: 29 May: ''Instrument'' - a performance by Angelica Fernando. Curated by Philip Hunt. *1998: 29 May: ''Vibrating Wall'' - site specific installation by Philip Hunt. *1998: ''Split'' - group show by St. Martins graduates. Curated by Matthew John Andrew and Philip Hunt. *1998: June:''Lost and Found'' - a group show including Simon Starling. Curated by Annalise Hollis by invitation of Matthew John Andrew. *1998: ''Marginal Platform [Blue Lagoon]'' solo installation by Wendy Bornholdt.<ref name=BlueLagoon>{{cite web |url = http://www.citygallery.org.nz/mainsite/TheWgtnExperimentWendyBornholdt.html |title = The Wgtn Experiment - Wendy Bornholdt |at = City Gallery Wellington |accessdate = 13 February 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100512064039/http://www.citygallery.org.nz/mainsite/TheWgtnExperimentWendyBornholdt.html |archive-date = 12 May 2010 |url-status = dead }}</ref> *1998: ''The Decima Banquet'' featuring the Blue Museum's Jack Diamond, Rart & Sete's penis casserole and make up artist to the stars Sharon Dowsett *1998: ''The Sofa Show'' - Matt Calderwood and Louise Camrass. *1998: Summer: ''Inter-gallery 5-a-side'' art football tournament against White Cube Gallery, Victoria Miro Gallery and others. Organised by Sam's Salon and held at Spitalfields Market, London. *1998: 21 August: ''Daisy The Pantomime Cow goes to the Tate Gallery''<ref name=LondonPaper/><ref name=DianaTate/> performance outside the Tate Britain Gallery, Millbank, London. *1998: 31 August: ''The Diana Weekend''<ref name=SLP1>{{cite news | last =Redmond | first =Kellie | url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/decima/2257870300/sizes/o/in/set-72157603890533777/ | title = We are not Amoosed | newspaper = The South London Press | location = London | page =1 | quote = A shocking tribute to the late Princess Diana involving a pantomime cow... | date = September 1998 }}</ref> *1998: October ''Framed - The Media as Canvas''.<ref name=Rugoff/><ref name=LockerEssay/> *1998: December: ''Arsed'' - a group show by Rart and Sete,<ref>http://www.rartandsete.com "Rart and Sete"</ref> Derrick Welsh and Alison Chan.
;1999 All 1999 events held at Decima Gallery, London SE1, UK unless otherwise stated. *1999: 12 February: ''Laura White - Decima Gallery''.<ref name=LauraWhite>{{cite web | url =http://www.gold.ac.uk/art/research/staff/lw/01/ | title =Laura White | first =Laura | last =White | at =Goldsmiths University | accessdate =13 February 2010 }}</ref><ref name=LauraWhiteBook>{{cite book |last=White |first=Laura |author2=Andrew Renton |author3=Lisa Le Feuvre |author4=Laura U. Marks |title=The Stuff of Images |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PAJtPgAACAAJ&q=laura+white |accessdate=13 February 2010 |year=2008 |publisher=Castlefield Gallery Publications |location=Manchester |isbn=978-0-9559557-1-6 |page=10 }}</ref> *1999: ''The Arts Club Exhibition No.2'' *1999: ''The Windy Nook Chip Shop'' at the Waygood Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. *1999: ''Gavin Turk's Rubbish'' by the "Little Artists", John Cake and Darren Neave. Solo show. *1999: ''The Arts Club Exhibition'' featuring The Little Artists. *1999: April: ''Was Jesus a Homosexual'' included Gilbert & George, Piers Wardle, Rart & Sete, Jayaram Khadka and Charles Sayer.<ref name=LondonPaper/><ref name=Pandora1/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rosecottage.me.uk/OutRage-archives/decima.htm|title=Decima Exhibition}}</ref> *1999: 8 June: ''The Leeds 13 Degree Show'' - Decima exhibited as an "artist" in this show in Leeds, doing a "Diana the Dancing Cow" performance alongside Bank, Barbara Hepworth, The Chapman Brothers, Damien Hirst, Georgina Starr, Jeff Koons, Jo Spence, Kurt Schwitters, Marcel Duchamp and Sam Taylor-Wood among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leeds.ac.uk/fine_art/arch/show/1999/degreeshow/index_frame.html|title=404-error|access-date=15 February 2010|archive-date=25 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525100855/http://www.leeds.ac.uk/fine_art/arch/show/1999/degreeshow/index_frame.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> *1999: July: ''Susan Mihalski's All-new Adoption Agency'' - solo show. *1999: August: ''Diana Goes to the Seaside'' performance at Cap d'Agde Resort, France.<ref name=LondonPaper/> *1999: September ''The Time Has Come'' as part of the Articultural Show, South Bank, London. Featuring Piers Wardle and organised by Gavin Turk.
;2000–2007 *2000: ''Derrick Welsh - The F@ c@ s@ on the m@'' at Bacon Street Studios, London. Organised by Alex Chappel & Lynn Wilson. *2001: September ''Maslen & Mehra - Drift, the film'' at 291 Gallery, Hackney, London. *2002: ''Micalefalob'' at 291 Gallery, Hackney, London. *2002: ''Daykinisms'' at Tinsy Space, Brick Lane, London. *2004: ''The Joke's on Us'' - Although not organised by Decima, this Show at De-luxe Arts, Hoxton Square, London, was organised by Robert Urquahart and Anna Lewis and featured a video by Alex Chappel, an installation by David C. West, a photograph by Decima and rude embroidery by Derrick Welsh. *2005: May: ''Piers & Micalef - Are You Thinking What We're Thinking?'' at Upstairs Gallery, Clerkenwell, London. Organised by Alex Chappel & Fiona Watson to coincide with 2005 United Kingdom general election; *2005: June: ''Dead Derrick - a Derrick Welsh retrospective'' at Upstairs Gallery, Clerkenwell, London. *2007: May: ''The Surrealist's Ball'' at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. "Sad Fan Raffle" performance by David C. West and Stephen Micalef. Organised by Rosie Cooper. *2007: 30 June: ''The Last Puff'' at the Golden Heart pub, London. Exhibition to mark the last day upon which it was legal to smoke in public places in England. Included drawings of cigarettes by many notable figures and celebrities, including Jarvis Cocker, David Hockney, Sarah Lucas, Dinos Chapman, Vic Reeves and Malcolm McLaren.
;2008 All 2008 events held at Decima Gallery, Hackney Wick, London E3, UK (unless otherwise stated). *2008: February: ''The Famous, the Infamous and the Really Quite Good.''The opening show at Decima Gallery, Hackney Wick, London. Including Gilbert and George, Gavin Turk, and even Primrose Hill socialite Sadie Frost.<ref name=LondonPaper/><ref name=LauraWhiteBook/> *2008: April: ''Micalef for Mayor'' project. *2008: April: ''The Decima Easter Auction'' compered by actress and singer Paloma Faith. *2008: 17 May: ''Piers & Micalef - Banksy versus Barksy''.<ref>{{cite web| last = Martin| first =Richard| title =Art Pops| publisher =Meetin.org| date =15 May 2008| url =http://www.meetin.org/city/MEETinLONDON/MessageRoomDetail.cfm?TestimonialID=651228| accessdate =1 February 2010}}</ref> *2008: 28 May: ''Shiv Mishra'' Solo show of the Indian artist. *2008: 31 May: ''The Decima Editions Launch & Art Fair''.<ref name=Londonist1>{{Cite web|url=http://londonist.com/2008/05/decima_editions.php|title = Decima Editions Art Fair 1 @ Old Peanut Factory|date = 31 May 2008}}</ref> *2008: May: ''Decima TV presents an interview with Bob & Roberta Smith'' interviewer Aaron Barschak.<ref name=Bob1/><ref name=DecimaTV1>{{cite web |url=http://blip.tv/file/1331634 |title=Watch PART 01 - Bob & Roberta Smith (Intro) | Decima TV Episodes | Videos | Blip |accessdate=14 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130418173427/http://blip.tv/file/1331634 |archivedate=18 April 2013 }}</ref> *2008: May: ''Decima TV presents an interview with Mark McGowan'' interviewer Aaron Barschak *2008: 5 June: ''Mind the Step'' - Camberwell College Drawing MA show. *2008: 7 June: ''Decima TV presents an interview with Franko B'' interviewer Aaron Barschak *2008: ''Illegal Dog Fight'' at the Elevator Gallery, Hackney Wick, London. *2008: 13 June: ''Iceberg Enters Obelisk'' at the Whitechapel Gallery, London. Screening of film 'Illegal Dog Fight'. *2008: 21 June: ''The Decima Artists Show'' with live music by Paloma Faith. *2008: 19 July: ''The Decima Arts Club'' featuring Piers Jamson. *2008: 9 August: ''The Art Olympics''. Featured Stephen Micalef, Piers Wardle and Stephen Gill.<ref name=Rogue/> *2008: August: ''The Hackney Wicked Festival'' - co-founders and co-organisers of the first festival in 2008.<ref name=Rogue/> Various venues around Hackney Wick. *2008: Summer: ''The Cowboy Art Fair''. Organised by Geraldine Ryan. Featuring Piers Wardle, Stephen Micalef, Spiritwo and others<ref>{{cite web |author =The Gentle Author |title =So long, Piers Wardle |publisher =Spitalfields Life |year =2010 |url =http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/01/11/so-long-piers/ |accessdate=7 February 2010 |location =London}}</ref> *2008: ''Condensation 08'' show curated by Robson Cesar. *2008: 6 September: ''Decima at Bestival'' showed with Stranger than Paradise Club at the Polka Tent, dressed as dogs, at the Bestival Festival 08, The Isle of Wight, UK. *2008: 13 September: ''Decima at Stranger than Paradise'' at Dex Club, Brixton, London. Dog Dancing performance. *2008: 8 November: ''Decima at "A Night of Hackney Adventures"'' at the Round Chapel, Clapton, London. Organised by Stephen Gill. *2008: 4 December: ''Decima TV presents Byron Pritchard v East End Lights'' filmed at Beyond Retro, London <ref>{{cite web |url=http://decimatv.blip.tv/file/1555625/ |title=Byron Pritchard v East End Lights | Decima TV on Blip |accessdate=14 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120709130108/http://decimatv.blip.tv/file/1555625/ |archivedate=9 July 2012 }}</ref> *2008: 13 December: ''The Decima Christmas Art Fair & Nativity Play'' Organised by Kate Kotcheff, daughter of Ted Kotcheff. Art fair featured Carlo Zenone.
;2009 *2009: 18 January: ''An Afternoon of Hardcore Porn'' project. Held in Clapton, London.<ref name=HackneyGazette1/> *2009: 24 January: ''Micalef for Poet Laureate'' project, launched at Pages of Hackney bookshop, Clapton, London.<ref name=HackneyGazette3>{{cite news | title = Micalef for poet Laureate | author = Peter Sherlock | newspaper = The Hackney Gazette | location = London }}</ref> *2009: 17 April: ''Decima on Resonance FM'' radio broadcast, London. *2009: 23 May: ''Decima Charity Fundraising Ball'' held at McGinity Hall, Hackney, London. *2009: June: ''The Art Car Boot Fair'' at Brick Lane, London. Dressed as dogs. *2009: 24 July: ''It's All Over Banksy'' Mark Reeves and the Decima Dogs at Ghetto Gallery, Split, Croatia.<ref name=Ghetto/> *2009: 1 August: ''Come Back Decima, all is forgiven'' as part of the Hackney Wicked Festival, Hackney Wick, London.<ref name=Rogue/> *2009: 11 September: ''Britain's Rubbish Fundraiser'' live event held at the George Tavern, Whitechapel, London, in association with La Bouche Magazine. Featuring Tymon Dogg, The Coolness, The Fucks, Stephen Gill, Simon Ould, Mark McGowan, Paul Sakoilsky, Nova, Tricity Vogue, Stephen Micalef, Piers Wardle, Mark Reeves, cApStAn StRiNg, Vicki Gold & David C West.<ref name=Spoonfed2>{{cite web |url = http://www.spoonfed.co.uk/london/event/britains-rubbish/at/george-tavern/ |title = Britain's Rubbish |first = Tom |last = Jeffries |year = 2009 |at = Spoonfed Magazine |accessdate = 13 February 2010 |quote = Yes, that's right, it's party time, courtesy of controversial East End art folks Decima....in order to raise money for Decima's forthcoming Berlin-based exhibition. Britain's Rubbish will examine the state of the nation - corruption, individualism, fear, ridiculousness. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120227065457/http://www.spoonfed.co.uk/london/event/britains-rubbish/at/george-tavern/ |archive-date = 27 February 2012 |url-status = dead }}</ref> *2009: October: ''Asphalt Handbag'', a rave in Berlin. Co-organised by Private Lives<ref name=Berlin1>{{cite news | title =Transvestiten, Kunstblut und Gumminasen | first =Rita | last =Bond | url =http://www.bz-berlin.de/archiv/transvestiten-kunstblut-und-gumminasen-article630982.html | newspaper =Berliner Zeitung | location =Berlin | date =2 November 2009 | accessdate =13 February 2010 | language =German |trans-title=Transvestites, fake blood and rubber noses | quote =Die britische Künstlergruppe Decima veranstaltet weltweit Art-Parties. Zur Eröffnung ihrer Kreuzberg-Galerie ließen Alex Chappel und David C.West zwei Bands, 5 DJs und 3 Video Künstler tanzen.Gänsehaut bekomme ich von dem ganzen Kommerz-Halloween-Trubel. }}.</ref> *2009: 30 October: ''Britain's Rubbish'' at Molecular Studio, Berlin, Germany. Featuring over 50 artists including Gilbert & George, Featherhouse, Piers Wardle, Darren Coffield and Gavin Turk. Joy Collie. Co-organised by Molecular Studio.<ref name=Spoonfed2/><ref>http://www.planettitanic.com/Catalogue%20Britains%20Rubbish%20-%20p.pdf{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>http://featherhouse.com/?p=32{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.labouchemag.com/issue-three.php?art=91 |title=La Bouche issue three |accessdate=13 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713180533/http://www.labouchemag.com/issue-three.php?art=91 |archivedate=13 July 2011 }}</ref> *2009: 21 November: ''We're Dreamin' of a Rubbish Xmas!'' live music event held at the George Tavern, Whitechapel, London, in association with La Bouche Magazine. Acts included Beastellabeast, Nova, Douce Angoisse and The Annual Decima Nativity Play, in its second year, again directed by Kate Kotcheff.<ref name=Hackneyist2>{{cite web |url = http://sejewellery.squarespace.com/journal/2009/11/17/decima-projects-rubbish-christmas-george-tavern.html |title = Decima Projects / Rubbish Christmas / George Tavern |date = 17 November 2009 |at = The Hackneyist |accessdate = 13 February 2010 |quote = Buy art, listen to music, drink beer and eat soup and cake at the infamous Shadwell hostelry |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716124243/http://sejewellery.squarespace.com/journal/2009/11/17/decima-projects-rubbish-christmas-george-tavern.html |archive-date = 16 July 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=Spoonfed4>{{Cite web |url=http://www.spoonfed.co.uk/london/event/decima-la-bouche-xmas-rubbish-art-fair-and-live-gig/at/george-tavern/ |title=Decima & la Bouche XMAS RUBBISH Art Fair and Live Gig - London |access-date=13 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227065442/http://www.spoonfed.co.uk/london/event/decima-la-bouche-xmas-rubbish-art-fair-and-live-gig/at/george-tavern/ |archive-date=27 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *2009: November: ''Xmas Rubbish'' art fair event, London.<ref name=Hackneyist2/><ref name=Spoonfed4/> *2009: 19 December: ''Smash & Grab'' - Louise Camrass & Nelly Dimitranova - opening event at 97 Clerkenwell Road, Camden, London. Assisted by Camden Council.<ref name=Hackneyist1>{{cite web |url = http://sejewellery.squarespace.com/journal/2009/12/17/decima-projects-smash-and-grab.html |title = Decima Projects / Smash & Grab |date = 17 December 2009 |at = The Hackneyist |accessdate = 13 February 2010 |quote = Award-winning artist Louise Camrass will be exhibiting her work alongside Bulgarian artist Nelly Dimitranova – including films, photographs, paintings and drawings |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716123257/http://sejewellery.squarespace.com/journal/2009/12/17/decima-projects-smash-and-grab.html |archive-date = 16 July 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref> *2009: 12 & 13 December: ''The Decima Turnip Prize'' at the Tate Modern Gallery, as part of Rob Pruitt's Flea Market, itself part of the exhibition "Pop Life: Art in a Material World".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://he-records.blogspot.com/2009/12/decima-turnip-prize.html|title = The Decima Turnip Prize}}</ref> *2009: 4 December: ''What Happens After the Ball?'' at Decima Clark West, Piccadilly, London. Organised by Decima, Nomad Galleries and Jackie Clark.<ref name=TomBall>{{cite web |last = Jeffries |first = Tom |title = What Happens After The Ball? |publisher = Spoonfed Media |year = 2009 |url = http://www.spoonfed.co.uk/london/event/what-happens-after-the-ball/at/decima-clark-west/ |accessdate = 1 February 2010 |location = London |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120227065419/http://www.spoonfed.co.uk/london/event/what-happens-after-the-ball/at/decima-clark-west/ |archive-date = 27 February 2012 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
;2010 *2010: 7 January: ''Pop Up'' - Louise Camrass & Nelly Dimitranova - closing event at 97 Clerkenwell Road, Camden, London. Assisted by Camden Council<ref name=Hackneyist1/>
==See also==
Artists, individuals and organisations Decima work with or have worked with,{{cn|date=October 2023}} and other related articles:
Adam Dant • Art of the United Kingdom • Contemporary art • David Shayler • Gary Hart • Harry Pye • Little Artists • Louise Camrass • Mark McGowan • Matt Calderwood • Micalef • Neil Zakiewicz • Paloma Faith • Piers Wardle • Sadie Frost • Simon Starling • Stephen Gill (photographer) • Tymon Dogg • Vic Reeves • Young British Artists • Quilla Constance
==References== {{reflist|2}}
Category:Defunct contemporary art galleries in London Category:1997 establishments in England Category:Art museums and galleries established in 1997