Throughout June we hosted a number of events with the London Festival of Architecture. The main theme for the London festival of Architecture 2022 was ‘Act’, fitting with the activism and the history of Somers Town.
Through a range of walks and panel discussions on the history of social housing and radical activism in the area, a mural painting project, a decolonisation meal, weekly radical screen printing and mock auctions we showcased the radical history of Somers Town.
WALKS
Some of our walks
A social housing focus
‘The Fairy Tale Estate’ celebrated the work and finials Gilbert Bayes produced for the estates in Somers Town. The work of Peter Tabori, Roman Halter and James Gowan were looked at in ‘The Oakshott Estate’ led by Camden Guide Fabian Watkinson; and the Grade 2 listed Ossulston Estate in ‘The Echoes of Karl Marx Hof’.
Social Justice Lunchtime Walks
Radical walks on Anti-Colonial Routes and Black Radicals with Esther Leslie and walks on Radical Feminism and its history in Somers Town (Wollstonecraft and Shelley), and Rebels and Anarchism.
A final weekend
The Decolonisation Dinner celebrated the history and decolonisation. It also was a representation of the different communities and cultures that call Somers Town their home. There was music, cakes and English, African and Asian meals on offer, using only local cooks – and food was provided for free to the local community. Tables were arranged along Phoenix Road with international flags and information about the origins of foods.
Painting the history onto the walls – our mural!
Our mural project involved all ages and all sectors of the community in a co-design and paint of the themes of social justice and the history of Somers Town over all 5 weekends in June.
References