A Riot In Three Acts: Live Programme

The exhibition, A Riot In Three Acts is accompanied by a series of live events, including eight intimate live performances of Imran Perretta’s original score for a string quartet, A Requiem for the Dispossessed, performed by the Manchester Camerata orchestra, within the installation.

A programme of discursive events curated by Rahila Haque also invite artists, designers, architects, activists and academics to gather on the gravel of the replica of Reeves Corner to consider the symbolism, historical narratives and contemporary issues that permeate the installation. Corresponding to the exhibition’s reference to the model of the three-act structure, the programme builds a narrative of interconnectedness from a discrete site in Croydon, to a global civil uprising.

In response to A Riot in Three Acts, artist and musician Raheel Khan will also lead a 5-day workshop for aspiring artists aged 16-19, prioritising those from underrepresented backgrounds, as part of Somerset House’s Future Artists programme.

These events are designed to facilitate genuine dialogue where participants can speak openly and honestly. We ask all attendees to be respectful and open-minded, with a willingness to learn from others. Above all, we want to ensure it is a safe, positive and inclusive space that is free from harassment and/or discrimination.
Please note that the Talks programme is not suitable for visitors under 18 years of age.

27–28 Sep & 25–26 Oct 2024

A Requiem for the Dispossessed: Manchester Camerata Quartet Live

Live performance of Imran Perretta’s original score for string quartet, A Requiem for the Dispossessed, performed live by the Manchester Camerata orchestra, within the installation. A Requiem for the Dispossessed is co-commissioned by Somerset House Studios and Manchester Camerata.

Talk | Thu 3 Oct | 6.45–8.30pm

Act 1: Retrieving Croydonia

An informal discussion with Croydon’s homegrown artist space Turf Projects, Lina Ivanova and RESOLVE Collective, to explore how artistic and creative interventions are being mobilised around issues of urban planning and community agency in the management of public space.

Talk | Thu 17 Oct | 6.45–8.30pm

Act 2: Spatialities of Violence

Focusing on the UK’s recent past and historical events, the discussion considers how violence is built into our environments, and why riots and civil uprisings have occurred as repeated moments of refusal that emerge from the brutal histories and continuities of racial capitalism. Featuring academics and architects, including Gargi Bhattachary

Talk | Wed 30 Oct | 6.45–8.30pm

Act 3: Liberated Zones for Palestine

For Act Three, we gather with organisers from Goldsmiths for Palestine and other student organisers of liberated zones for Palestine to hear about inhabiting the public/private space of universities, revealing the colonial functions of institutional infrastructures, and imagining alternative models of education for a liberated future.

Opportunity

Future Artists Programme with Raheel Khan

Artist and musician Raheel Khan will lead a 5-day workshop for aspiring artists aged 16-19. Free to attend and guided by Khan’s practice, the group will experiment with different methods of creating, collaging and experiencing sound, while exploring themes and ideas of protest music in the UK.

We’re sensitive to the fact that while this subject matter is important to explore, it may be triggering to some audiences. Our visitor experience team have been briefed to direct visitors who may feel triggered by the work to the decompression room located near the exhibition; a separate, dedicated space to reflect, with suggested resources for help and support. For further support, we’d also like to highlight the following resources:

Healing Justice https://healingjusticeldn.org

Resist and Renew https://resistrenew.com

Radical Therapist Network: https://www.radicaltherapistnetwork.com

The Black, African and Asian Network (BAATN): https://www.baatn.org.uk

A Riot In Three Acts (2024) is commissioned by and developed in residence at Somerset House Studios. The score, A Requiem for the Dispossessed (2024), is co-commissioned by Somerset House Studios and the Manchester Camerata, by arrangement with NEWFORM MUSIC. Supported by d&b audiotechnik’s Soundscape.