A new pop-up arts festival has emerged out of south east London. Deptford Stories is a heady combo of mixed-media installations, sculpture, prints, light displays, textiles, and even tiling. It also aims to unravel some of the yarns involving lives and legends of the area.
The event — happening on the evening of Friday 31 October, followed by a full programme the next day — is in and around Anthology Deptford Foundry on Arklow Road Trading Estate. Attendees can admire, and interact with, works by London-based artists including James Capper (creator of moving sculptures like 2010's Tread Toe), Cedric Christie (notable for his light boxes and bashed-up cars), and Tisna Westerhof. The latter has crafted antique-looking tiles with a modern twist, which act as glazed vignettes of London life. For the festival, she's created a tile installation on a Deptford theme.
Anthology Deptford Foundry isn't just hosting Deptford Stories — it also has a starring role. A soundscape will play throughout the festival — inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the sounds of the old foundry, along with sound bites from George Arthur, a local who worked here during in the 1960s (George will also make a personal appearance).
On of the most notorious episodes in the history of Deptford was the murder of playwright Christopher Marlowe in a tavern in 1593 (at least that's what is widely believed). On Friday night, theatre group In(ep)trepid recreate Marlowe's final night, with a 20-minute performance in the courtyard. These will take place every half hour, before a 'surprise finale' at 8.30pm.
Music is provided by Lit FM, a London-based 10-piece alternative jazz-funk band (that's Friday night). On Saturday, JD and the Longfellows ply audiences with their violin-driven folk, with a chaser of electro swing band goodness, courtesy of Booty Swing.
Pig&Rig is dishing out hog roasts, while The Black Cab Coffee Co and Brockley Brewery take charge of the drinks.
The festival is the brainchild of pop-up pioneers Greenspace, in cahoots with Harts Lane Studios and Goldsmiths. This is the first time Anthology has hosted a pop-up event of this kind, but we hope not the last.
Deptford Stories takes place 31 October 5-9pm and 1 November 11am-6pm. It's free to attend. Exhibitions are then open from 2-16 November, by appointment only.