Alero presents: The Radical Sounds of East London

This immersive installation will combine poetry, politics and performance, inspired by materials from Bishopsgate Institute’s archive on socialist thinker and activist Raphael Samuel. The show will explore the hidden stories of East London, alongside contemporary struggles against its continued attacks by business interests and gentrification. In particular, the installation will focus on 1950s radical radio and documentary held in the archive.

Alero and other local artists will create an immersive musical and poetic work to explore the influence of Samuel’s progressive politics, documentation and writing which strove to democratise history-making through actively recovering the histories of ordinary people and their movements.

The inspiration from our collections

Through the use of sonic compositions, visuals and poetry, this evening will explore the radical political history of East London. It will highlight important political moments recorded within the archive, as well as the current happenings from within East London such as the Ridley Road campaign, Rafael Samuel's works and the resistance against gentrification.

This event is to creatively platform histories, struggles, triumphs and local stories told through poetry and sound, using audio recordings of East London residents from within the archive. We will paint a picture and a possible timeline of events that occurred throughout East London's radical history. In the words of Angela Davis ‘’Radical simply means, grasping things at the roots’’, raising the question of what the root has been within these communities, within the strength of protest, art, community and history. This event isn't just about raising awareness for what has been or what is currently happening, it is a celebration of resistance, community and care. Told through those that have lived within these communities or been a part of this ever-changing part of London.

Practical information

Tickets are £12/£6 and available in advance and on the door.

• Content warning: This event may refer to themes around gentrification, classism, and racism.

Image caption – Creative Commons, Credit Alan Denney. Ridley Road 1979

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