Listen to Somerset House Studios resident Gaika in conversation with Novara Media’s Ash Sarkar about the politics of sound system culture, Windrush and the history and future of Notting Hill Carnival, on the occasion of his month-long audio visual installation SYSTEM.
SYSTEM is a month-long audio visual installation, exploring themes of immigration, cultural expression and raw technical prowess which is at the heart of sound system culture through archival source material, commissioned by Boiler Room.
“Sound systems are an extension of our voice and you’ve go to shout to stay alive.”
In the run-up to Notting Hill Carnival, a series of weekly parties celebrated the positive impact of migration on music. Featuring the likes of legendary dub producer Aba Shanti-I, the all female CAYA Soundsystem and queer collective BBZ London, the series provided a platform to new talent inspired by sound system culture to perform alongside the original selectors.
At the heart of SYSTEM is a new film by Gaika, Congregation, that combines archival footage of Notting Hill Carnival with new videos and visuals created by the artist and contemporary footage shot by Boiler Room. An exploration of blackness, shared narratives and historical knowledge, the film aims to challenge media perceptions by showcasing the stories and characters of Carnival and beyond.
