Streets of... a Living Archaeology

About

Streets of… 7 cities in 7 minutes is a video sound installation composed of seven artworks, which immerse the audience in a virtual reality of the distinguishing sounds, images, and smells of Naples (Italy), Shanghai (China), Mumbai (India), Tangier (Morocco), Lisbon (Portugal), Salvador de Bahia (Brazil) and London (UK). The project has been designed by the artist Alda Terracciano to uncover the ancestral memory of three historical, intersecting journeys (the Indo-European migrations, the Silk Road and the Transatlantic Slave Trade) as they unconsciously resurface in people's everyday life across the globe, through sounds, movements, and collective rituals. he inspiration for the project comes from the artist's long-term interest in, and research on, the British cultural landscape and London in particular. As the most diverse city in Europe and as a crossroad for local and global cultural identities, London represents the pivot of a wheel whose rays reach out towards other places in the world in a cultural continuum. The exhibition includes material from the Living Archaeology of the Place, a creative engagement programme, which encourages audiences to actively engage with and be part of the project through interactive memory sessions. Between August and December 2012 participants were able to contribute with personal stories and objects from the cities represented in the project. They had an opportunity to explore the intersection between art and everyday life and the use of new technologies to preserve and transmit collective memories. Online submissions of images, memories and videos via Facebook (Streets of 7 cities in 7 minutes) and email (coordinator@aldaterra.com) and contributions from the Rich Mix audience will also become part of the live and ever-growing installation.