The recent financial crisis, public spending cuts, the 2011 Budget – economics affect us all, but who benefits and what are the impacts locally? Members of the public are invited to contribute to Iniva’s (Institute of International Visual Arts) exhibition, Social Archive One: An Economic Forecast (Shoreditch), by participating in workshops led by artist Shiraz Bayjoo. A snapshot of people from the area will be created through digital portraits, capturing their thoughts on the role they feel they may or may not play in the economic future ahead.
Rivington Place’s locale, Shoreditch, sees diverse economies rubbing up against each other; from creative practices, to huge financial institutions, to charities and small family run businesses. In Shoreditch the affluent Square Mile and Hackney, one of the UK’s poorest boroughs, are brought into close proximity. But how will all the factors influencing the current economy affect the area?
Through a guided area tour and workshops led by artist Shiraz Bayjoo, project participants will take on the role of socio-economic historians, making short films documenting the stories of the people working and living in the area. They will document their impressions, stories and reflections on their economic futures, creating an archive of predictions, hopes, aspirations and potential disappointments. The films created will be displayed in an exhibition at Rivington Place from 19-23 July and will be available to view online, there is also an opportunity to win a flip camera.
Social Archive One: An Economic Forecast – (Shoreditch) is part of At the Intersection: Art and Economies, a three year initiative exploring critical and creative approaches to economics. It focuses on pre-Olympics fervour, Social Archive Two in 2012 will revisit some of the sites and individuals as the Olympics comes to London, and Social Archive Three will take a look at the people and their attitudes post-Olympics in 2013 and the impact the Games has had on them.
This project takes place as part of the CREATE 11 festival (www.createlondon.org) at Rivington Place, with workshops on 2 & 9 July 1-5pm, and 7 July 6:30-9pm. Now in its fourth year, the CREATE 11 festival celebrates Europe's largest cultural quarter, the 2012 Olympic Host Boroughs. This project is also supported by Adobe Youth Voices. For more information and to get involved, visit www.iniva.org or www.rivingtonplace.org.
