Neighbourhood Number Nine: New Futures

The final exhibition of the Neighbourhood Number Nine exhibition series questions if (and how) the local community itself could lead urban change? What would ideally be preserved, and what would be encouraged to grow? Carlotta Novella and Tom Butler hosted a series of workshops with local community groups across a spectrum of generations to draw out their future aspirations and remodel Poplar accordingly. The outcomes of each workshop will be mapped onto the Micro Museum’s mobile structure and incorporated into the exhibition display.The final exhibition looked at the possible agency the local community might have in the Estate’s future as it faces redevelopment, which included a series of workshops with local community groups enabling them to confront their precarity, and the opportunities open to them, finally giving these otherwise unheard voices a platform in the V&A’s exhibition space.

With its status as one of London’s first multi-ethnic districts, its history of political radicalism, and its role in architectural experimentation, the area of Poplar has contributed much to London’s identity. But what makes up Poplar’s own identity? And given the current forces at play, how can this be maintained for future generations? You are invited to contribute your concerns and hopes for a future Poplar, exploring the identity and varied elements that make-up this East End neighbourhood.

This was paralleled with a panel discussion exploring the historic role of artists of the area in fighting back against the redevelopment it experienced, with Marijke Steedman in conversation with Ruth Lang, Laurie Nouchka and Tullie Rennie (both, Walls On Walls), Loraine Leeson (Docklands Community Poster Project/cSPACE), Chad McCail (This Used to be Fields, Becontree Estate) and Alberto Duman (Fine Art Social Practice, Middlesex University) on the role of mural-making and community art practices within the built environment.

• https://lansburymicromuseum.com/neighbou...