Museum of Social Housing
The museum of social housing was temporarily located in a former council flat in Southwark, combining the stories and intimacy of a home with the politics of London’s housing crisis. The work was conceived by Rachel Reid in collaboration with three students from Goldsmiths. Visitors came to the tower block on the edge of one of Britain’s biggest new regeneration schemes, where they found a rich mix of art works, from photography, original audio work, two participatory works, a (pre-election) Christmas card and post box, original visual works, as well as a temporary exhibit from another museum, works by a local school, and works by housing activist groups.
Traces of London (Posca pens, windows, visitors).
Visitors were invited to trace the view of Canada Water, a horizon that will soon disappear as a result of the massive regeneration development of the Canada Water Masterplan.
Floor Plan
“100 Years of Council Housing” (left). Roller banner made in collaboration with the 35% Campaign.
“Kids on Brutalism” (right). Works by children from a local school, most of whom lived in the Heygate or Aylesbury estates, two of the largest estates that have been or are in the process of being demolished by Southwark Council.
Remembering the Aylesbury (photographs, projector)
Merry Christmas! Cards designed by the artist featuring the Aylesbury estate, the largest estate in the UK, which is in the process of being demolished, despite opposition from residents. The cards were designed to reframe the image of tower blocks with original photography and traditional festive imagery. The museum opening fell just before the December 2019 election, and so the museum included a postal service, to encourage visitors to the museum to send the cards ahead of the election, to remind voters to think about housing issues before they voted. The cards were sold to raise money for a legal challenge against a Southwark regeneration scheme.
The Southwark Clearances (right; made in collaboration with the 35% Campaign, for content see http://35percent.org/the-southwark-clearances/).