Another Place: Visionary Landscapes and City Infrastructure

An evening of talks exploring visions of the metropole and connections between outer and inner London, set within the historic Swedenborg House.

Topics of discussion include urban planning, deep roots, and literature in the city and greater metropole. Speakers include writer Ken Worpole (‘Radical Essex’); Sarah Spanton (artist, urban planner); Hayley Newman (artist); and Charlie Fox (Director InspiralLondon).

As part of the Radical Essex project, Ken Worpole has been researching the rise of 19th & 20th century communitarian settlements in the Essex landscape as outposts of East London radical politics and present on the political dynamic which sought to re-integrate the city and the country.
Artist-planner Sarah Spanton will discuss her recent journey from artist/performer and arts professional to planner. She thinks through the artist’s role in civic society, artist’s as activators of social change and the issues in ‘navigating the line’ between the two roles of planner and artist.
Hayley Newman will present ‘Facadism’, on theme of walking in relation to city surfaces.
Charlie Fox will talk ‘Spin, Spirals and Dickensizen: Towards a Topoanalysis of Homelessness’: this talk spins us from Swedenborg Hall to the outer spaces of the metropole into North Kent.

The evening concludes with audience discussion, chaired by Dr. Cecilia Wee.

About InspiralLondon Festival 2017
The InspiralLondon Festival (12 - 15 Oct 2017) celebrates the completion of InspiralLondon, a 300-mile walking trail that spirals from the centre of London to Kent. Devised by a collective of artists, geographers and walkers over the past two years, the trail reveals the culture, history and connections and dissonances of our land and city. The Festival’s programme includes walks, talks and performances in London and Kent.