Social Cinema Part of the London Architecture Biennale 2006 Artists Neil Cummings and Marysia Lewandowska are collaborating with architects Catherine du Toit and Peter Thomas of 51% Studios. The Social Cinema project is a series of temporary cinemas, their architectural fabric is improvisory - playful and subtle interventions into neglected space around landmark buildings are installed for one night only. In each place buildings become screens, steps seating, houses projection booths and un-built space auditoria. The Social Cinema will trace a movement from the representation of everyday life, to contemporary participation in those representations through mobile technologies. Screened excerpts of lectures from the Architectural Association Photo and Film Library introduce ideas and observations by architects Cedric Price, Denys Lasdun, Reyner Banham, Jacques Herzog, Tom Heneghan and Ron Herron. The programme will also include material from the 1960's Free Cinema of ?everyday? - meaning working class ? experience of living and playing in the city. The idea of a truly social cinema will be extended by screening films previously uploaded onto Internet sites where skateboarders, shoppers and tourists record their interactions with the architecture of the city. Free, no booking required. Early arrival recommended to ensure a place.
For more information visit London Architecture Biennale. SOCIAL CINEMA 1 Sat 17 June 21.30 Location: Car Wash Wall opposite the Zetter, St John's Square, EC1 Including excerpts of lectures by Reyner Banham House of the Future (1976), Tom Heneghan House of a Superstar (1976) and Ron Herron Sets Fit for the Queen (1976). Followed by a varied film programme. Transport Links - St John's Square Bus: 55, 153, 243 Tube: Farringdon, Barbican Rail: Farringdon SOCIAL CINEMA 2 Fri 23 June 21.30 Location: Finsbury Health Centre, Pine Street, EC1 Including excerpts of lectures by Cedric Price Aiming to Miss (1975). Followed by a varied film programme. Transport Links - Finsbury Health Centre Bus: 19, 38, 63, 341 Tube: Farringdon Rail: Farringdon SOCIAL CINEMA 3 Sat 24 June 21.30 Location: Paul's Walk (under the Millennium Bridge), EC4 Including excerpts of lectures by Reyner Banham This is Tomorrow Exhibition (1976), Denys Lasdun National Theatre South Bank (1989) and Jacques Herzog Tate modern (1999). Followed by a varied film programme. Transport Links - Paul's Steps Bus: 4, 11, 15, 23, 26, 100 Tube: St Paul's Rail: Blackfriars, City Thameslink Three sites have been researched and selected. These include the Finsbury Health Centre by the architect Bertold Lubetkin, one of the most important figures in modern architecture, a space adjacent to Zetter's Hotel on St John's Square and the steps below the Millennium Footbridge leading to Paul's Walk. In each location buildings themselves become screens, steps become seating, houses projection booths and un-built space auditoria. The architectural fabric of the temporary cinemas will be improvisory, playful and subtly intervene in neglected places around landmark buildings. As the cinemas range in size and ambience, the film programme adjusts accordingly ? The Social Cinema programme has emerged through a number of sources. Excerpts of lectures from the Architectural Association Archives introduce ideas and observations that are then explored and expanded by films made by people living and playing in London. Lecturers include the architects Cedric Price, Denys Lasdun, Reyner Banham, Tom Heneghan and Ron Heron. There will be reference to the 1960's Free Cinema of 'everyday' - meaning working class ? experience; although the idea of a truly free and social cinema will be updated by also screening films previously uploaded onto archival internet sites. Skateboarders, shoppers, and tourists with phone/cameras record their interactions with the architecture of the city. The Social Cinema's will trace a movement from the representation of 'everyday' life, to contemporary participation in those representations through mobile technologies. Each cinema is designed to be installed and dismantled over two days, enabling the Social Cinemas to wander the Biennale Route and engage a different audience in each specific location. Cummings and Lewandowska's widely acclaimed project Enthusiasm at the Whitechapel Gallery in London [designed with Thomas and du Toit] screened found and forgotten films made by Polish amateurs under Socialism. For more information visit www.chanceprojects.com and www.51pct.com Credits: Production Manger ? Sam Collins / Video Hire ? XL Video / Screen below Millennium Footbridge ? Cover-it-up Sponsors: The Arts Council / The Photographers Gallery / The Architectural Association / PW Services Thanks: Clare Grafik / Sam Collins and?Siobhan Davies Dance Studio / Brett Steele, Mey Yee Cheng, Valerie Bennett and Henderson Downing - Architectural Association Photo and Film Library / Mary Banham / Tom Heneghan / Simon Herron / Jaques Herzog / Eleanor Bron / Susan Lasdun / BFI /?James Lingwood ? Artangel / Iwona Blazwick / Mike Sperlinger ? Lux / Eileen Simpson and Ben White / Tim Macfarlane ? Dewhurst Macfarlane and Partners / Richard Pain, Paul Monaghan, Brian Elliot and Dawn Ryan ? City Of London / Alan Duck ? F.M. Conway / John Galsworthy ? Islington Council / Elaine Collier - Finsbury Health Centre / Doug Goldring, David Salenius and Mary Caudron - Homes for Islington / Exmouth Market Traders Association / Sinisa Rodic / Natsuko Doi / Seira Fischer?/?Stuart?Nishikawa / Generous Neighbours who have allowed us to use balconies and gardens as projection booths and if we have forgotten anyone, our apologies . . .