Get Up, Stand Up Now Podcast

Press play and take a listen to the Get Up, Stand Up Now podcast series. A crafted sound odyssey over five episodes, guided by the voices of Black creative pioneers featured in the exhibition.  

With insights from over 14 artists, legendary musician/producer Dennis Bovell to writer Margaret Busby, visual artist Yinka Shonibare CBE, acclaimed saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, and exhibition curator Zak Ové come together with spoken word artist Joshua Idehen to explore the discourse around the Black experience, activism, creativity and influence.

GAIKA, Dennis Bovell, Shabaka Hutchings, with selected tracks from Trojan Records provide the soundtrack to the series. 

Trailer

#1 Motherland 

Legendary musician Dennis Bovell, writer Margaret Busby, photographer Normski, with Get Up, Stand Up Now exhibition curator Zak Ové and spoken word artist Joshua Idehen explore the notion of ‘motherland.’ 

#2 Dream to Change the World 

How do we imagine a better future? How do we imagine equality and how do we get there?

Horace Ové CBE is internationally renowned as one of the leading Black independent filmmakers to emerge in Britain since the post-war period. His 1976 film Pressure is cited in the Guinness Book of Records as the first feature-length film made by a Black British director. Horace's son, Get Up, Stand Up Now curator Zak Ové and Gaylene Gould, BFI (Head of Cinema & Events) are in conversation exploring Pressure, its production and legacy. Artist Sonia Boyce OBE discusses her work as an artist and activist starting in the 1980s with the Black Arts Movement. Spoken word artist Joshua Idehen creatively responds to the theme of activism and hope.

Music by GAIKA, with selected tracks from Trojan Records:
East Of The River Nile - Augustus Pablo
Is it Because I'm Black - Ken Boothe 
Hang' em High - Richard Ace
The Liquidator - The Harry J All Stars 

Featuring excerpts from Pressure (1976), dir. Horace Ové. Courtesy of the British Film Institute (BFI)
 

#3 Masquerade 

Artists Zoe Bedeaux and Rhea Storr, writer Margaret Busby and Zak Ové explore the concept of masquerade in Black diasporic creativity, reflecting upon the history of Trinidad carnival documented in Horace Ové’s 1973 documentary, King Carnival.

Featuring excerpts from A Protest, A Celebration, A Mixed Message by Rhea Storr, music by GAIKA.

#4 Imaginary Landscapes

What is the place of Black diasporic art in Britain today? How do artists use imaginary landscapes to look to the future, break ground and envisage a world beyond? Can you imagine this alternative future? Artist Barby Asante in conversation with curator Paul Goodwin; artist, activist and collector of diasporic art CCH Pounder, along with curator Zak Ové to reflect 50 years on from Baldwin’s Nigger (Horace Ové, 1969) in which African-American writer James Baldwin discussed Black experience and identity in Britain and America. Presented by spoken word artist Joshua Idehen with music by GAIKA.

Featuring excerpts from Baldwin's Nigger, 1969 by Horace Ové, and an extract reading from Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God.

#5 Mothership

Calling planet earth! Artist Yinka Shonibare CBE, acclaimed saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, fashion designer Mowalola Ogunlesi, and Get Up, Stand Up Now curator Zak Ové explore themes around Black futures and afro-futurism. Presented by spoken word artist Joshua Idehen.

Music by Shabaka Hutchings and GAIKA, excerpts from Sun Ra Arkestra BBC Radio 3 session courtesy of Somethin' Else and BBC Radio 3.