London,
11
March
2019
|
16:47
Europe/London

Camden Alive partners up with artists to bring resident stories to life

Camden is teaming up with augmented reality (AR) experts, visual artists and performers to bring to life the stories of Camden and its residents as part of Camden Alive.

In 2018 the council was awarded the Mayor of London’s Cultural Impact Award as part of the London Borough of Culture competition for Camden Alive, which will celebrate Camden’s history and diversity.

Camden is excited to announce its partnership with London-based immersive technology company Arcade, who plan to transform some of the borough's streets into ‘playable places’, using digital technologies like augmented reality to share and celebrate the vibrant, rich stories of the borough.

Arcade will be challenging the preconceptions of what a museum really is – instead of a physical walled building, Camden People’s Museum will have no walls, no entry fees, and it will exist entirely in the world around residents and visitors. This will allow residents and visitors the ability to experience the museum either in person or remotely.

Artist and writer Scottee will be bringing his extraordinary creativity, showmanship and energy to a collaborative artwork alongside residents that will transform the way in which people view the place they live. By showcasing artworks, objects and stories a neighbourhood will become an open-to-all art gallery celebrating the ideas, thoughts and feelings of residents.

Camden will also be collaborating with the Camden People’s Theatre (CPT), artists Beats & Elements and residents in Camden to present High Rise eState of Mind. They will work with residents throughout the year, to create new performance-based artwork which explore and present their stories and ideas.

“We are very excited about these new partnerships. Camden Alive is building momentum and with the help of artists, digital technology experts and musicians the stories and history of Camden and its residents will be brought to life.”
Councillor Jonathan Simpson, Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture and Communities

Scottee, writer and artist, said: “I’m super excited to be working on Camden Alive, working with an estate a stones throw from the council house I grew up in. The project I’m bringing to NW5 is titled [Insert Art Here] and will give everyone on the estate the opportunity to curate their own gallery space, make work, work with artists and think about the space they live in a completely different way.”

There will also be opportunities for Camden residents interested in learning more about AR technology to have the chance to apply for a number of work shadowing and work experience options with Arcade during the project. Residents will also have the chance to test the experience pre-launch.

Jon Meggitt, CEO and Co-Founder of Arcade, said: “We could not be more thrilled to partner with Camden Council on this pioneering arts and culture project. Arcade is all about building connections between people and places using augmented reality, so the opportunity to immerse residents and visitors alike in the rich stories and unique environments of this iconic borough is a vision that’s very close to our hearts.

“Working alongside the Camden Alive team, the commissioned artists and local residents, we are delighted to be playing our part in creating something truly remarkable that can be enjoyed by all for many years to come.”

Camden Alive is part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture and is a Mayor’s Cultural Impact Award winner.

London Borough of Culture is a Mayor of London initiative with support from the City of London Corporation’s Charity, City Trust Bridge and Airbnb.

For more information visit www.lovecamden.org/camdenalive and www.arcade.ltd