Picturing High Streets was a three-year project delivered by Photoworks to create a contemporary picture of England’s high streets through artist residencies and a public call out. It was part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zones Cultural Programme, and produced in partnership with GRAIN Projects, Impressions Gallery, Open Eye Gallery, London College of Communications, Photofusion, QUAD/FORMAT, Redeye, ReFramed and The Photographers’ Gallery.
From September 2022 to September 2023, people across England responded to themed fortnightly challenges and submitted their photographs on Instagram under the hashtag #PicturingHighStreets. All entries created an unofficial archive documenting a year in the life of the English high street on Instagram, and a selection form this permanent collection in the Historic England Archive.
The photographs in this set were selected to represent the theme ‘Beats on the Street’. The brief for this theme was: ‘From first gigs in pubs, to stellar performances in concert halls, music can make a high street come alive. Show us the venues where you’ve queued up and got down, where you’ve swayed, waltzed or maybe even moshed.’
The photographer wrote the following text to explain how their image relates to this theme: "Woolwich Carnival, a vibrant tribute to the community, thrives with children and artists. Amid this lively tableau, a trombonist, adorned in gold and green, surfaces. His music amplifies the harmony, echoing through the streets, even as he strolls past a garish betting shop - a vivid, poignant portrayal of society's complexities."
This is part of the Volume: HEC01/128/02/11 Picturing High Streets: Mass Participation Project - Beats on the Street; within the Sub Series: HEC01/128/02 Picturing High Streets: Mass Participation Project; within the Series: HEC01/128 Picturing High Streets; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Laurence Smith
Photographer: Smith, Laurence
Festivals And Fairs, People
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