Grenfell by Steve McQueen accompanied by a public programme curated by Common/Wealth
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Grenfell by Steve McQueen to be presented at Chapter accompanied by a public programme curated by Common/Wealth exploring housing, justice and activism.
Grenfell is a film installation by Steve McQueen made in response to the fire that took place at Grenfell Tower on 14 June in 2017, opening at Chapter on 10 May with daily screenings, as part of a national tour organised by Tate.
In December 2017, artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen (b.1969, London) made an artwork in response to the fire that took place at Grenfell Tower. 72 people died in the tragedy. Filming the tower before it was covered with hoarding, McQueen sought to create a record so that it would not be forgotten.
Earlier this year the Government announced that Grenfell Tower is to be demolished, making McQueen’s record even more vital. Grenfell will screen on 14 June, the 8-year anniversary of the tragedy. On this day, Chapter will hold a gathering in solidarity with Grenfell United, survivors and bereaved families from the fire.
From 4-7 June, a four-day public programme, We Stand With You, curated by Common/Wealth, will bring together talks, workshops and performances addressing the fight for justice for Grenfell and the importance of community activism.
Events include a discussion between survivors and bereaved of Grenfell and Aberfan, along with a community activist from Butetown, Cardiff. Chaired by Peter Apps, author of Show Me the Bodies: How We Let the Grenfell Tower Fire Happen.
Forensic Architecture will screen Situated Testimonies of Grenfell, a film that weaves interconnected stories of the night of the fire, from the perspective of survivors, bereaved families, and witnesses. The screening will be followed by a discussion between Edward Daffarn from Grenfell United and Samaneh Moafi from Forensic Architecture.
In the gallery, artwork inspired by Cardiff and its communities will be on show. Artists include Ophelia Dos Santos, Kyle Legall, Vanja Garaj, Gavin Porter and Jon Pountney. Responding to the theme of community, these works inspire strength and solidarity in the fight for social justice.
A series of workshops will explore housing injustice in a Welsh context.
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Full programme: