The Street, (2008–2011 )

The Street was a curatorial project I conceived and led at Whitechapel Gallery, commissioning new works that investigated participation, exchange and dialogue in relation to Wentworth Street — a stretch of east London straddling residential communities, Petticoat Lane market, and the financial city.

Participating artists included Minerva Cuevas, Benedict Drew, Jens Haaning, Emma Hart, Henry VIII’s Wives, Dai Jenkins, Dean Kenning, Bernd Krauss, Melanie Manchot, Eileen Perrier, Nedko Solakov, Matt Stokes, Corinna Till and Shimabuku.

Minerva Cuevas developed a new cooperative currency, the Scoop, drawing on the history of alternative currencies. It could be acquired at stalls in Petticoat Lane Market and spent in an ice cream shop she established, creating a working commentary on the market economy on Wentworth Street. Jens Haaning installed Baghdad Time on the corner of Wentworth Street and Brick Lane — a clock set to Baghdad time, made in direct response to the Iraq War. Henry VIII's Wives constructed an imagined foyer for Tatlin's Tower in a disused shop off Wentworth Street. Melanie Manchot organised a street party rooted in the documented history of east London street parties. Eileen Perrier established a portrait studio on Petticoat Lane, open to local residents. Bernd Krauss developed a workshop programme with Whitechapel Gallery staff, supporting them to participate in local community activity — including cleaning a nearby church.

The project featured contributions from writers Nicolas Bourriaud, Clare Cumberlidge, Owen Hatherley and Lars Bang Larsen, and culminated in the 2012 publication Gallery as Community: Art, Education, Politics.