Always Something New at The Nut

It's an art exhibition, it's aperitif hour, it's live music, it's… The Nut! One month ago The Nut launched their first After Office Break Time, slinging canapés and cocktails to welcome the public into their "alternative venue" space.

The Nut is a two-story space run by many people, with many talents and objectives. Serena Barbieri catering and Greenhouse Project design studio both use The Nut as their base of operations. They work collaboratively with Lorenzo Petrillo, an freelance interior designer. Aside from offering their independent services, these three collaborate on weekly parties as a platform for artists, musicians, designers, filmmakers, networking, and discussion. An arty-oriented after-work scene, if you will.

Serena Barbieri found the venue and liked it because it has a large kitchen as well as an open area, in one location. The Milanese catering company wanted a location where they can rent space to clients for their special events. Greenhouse Project moved in upstairs. They do comprehensive communications management, from graphic design to audiovisual installations, interior design, art direction -- the works. The group, including Lorenzo, all crossed paths long ago, and kept in touch.



The Nut identity all originated with the look of the venue itself. There is a rather peculiar amorphous, two-storey room in the middle of the otherwise ordinary white-and-gray concrete converted factory space. This red room looks a bit like a nut. And it's unforgettable. The team has added read seating, flyers, and other branding elements to tie the whole environment together. But what's really appealing about the Nut, is the constant flow of new ideas, new activities, food, and drink awaiting visitors (for free!) on Thursdays.



Organizers hope The Nut can serve as a nexus point for "dialogue across disciplinary and cultural boundaries", as their press kit explains. As such, they welcome all kinds of guests to contribute to the Thursday parties. Artists, curators, critics, collectors, DJs, VJs …anybody with an idea they want to share, and the will to share it, is welcome. As are comments. Comment boxes and visitor participation are key elements that make The Nut a heck of a lot more fun than your average art exhibition opening.

The atmosphere is jubilant, casual, full of chatter and drink and food and games. We visited last Thursday and found Ben Hogue making soothing, continuously evolving sound art in the bottom of the nut, LLND's interactive sound wave music outside, low lighting, beers, cocktails, prosecco and a lovely pinot grigio. That's just floor one. Upstairs, we found table tennis, darts, a giant chess game, and an interactive sound art installation. And you'll find something different there next time.



Each month has a unique concept, and each week has different artists, DJs, etc. November, the opening month, was themed: "Under Construction". Even the food reflected the idea. Serena Barbieri served little nibbles, mainly square pieces, like building blocks. What's next, you ask? December's theme is "The Light is on".

Each Thursday evening The Nut receives about a hundred visitors. They attribute their success to the combination of elements. As Lorenzo Petrillo puts it: "Someone is coming for the food, someone is coming for the art, and someone is coming for the music."

We witnessed that. A group clung to the bar awaiting the arrival of each new treat from the kitchen (all free). Others hung around the DJ to check out his gear and chat. Some people wander through looking at Ben Hogue's sound installation. Others prefer the upstairs, where table tennis, darts, and a new addition, a giant chess board, were set up.



"It's like in Italy and Spain, where they have 'aperitif', a time to meet after work," Petrillo explains. "We don’t sell anything but we leave an experience," he adds.

The Nut's Thursday night After Office Break Time runs weekly from 6pm to "whenever". Organizers say "we leave with the last one".

The Nut, 1/F, Building E, 1147 Kangding Lu, near Wuning Nan Lu. TheNutLab.com