The Showroom presents Collective Intimacy – Reviving a Live Programme (2019)

Collective Intimacy was a live programme presented by The Showroom, London, in collaboration with Prada and The Vinyl Factory, that took us on a journey through multiple and trans-located narratives of the current Black experience. These futuristic imaginaries offered experiential points of departure for a nuanced cosmopolitan view of the world.

Hosted by The Showroom and The Store X in October – November 2019, Collective Intimacy launched at 180 The Strand within the Black Image Corporation installation by Theaster Gates. In the spirit of his Black Artist Retreat it encompassed distinct spaces for unique and trans-disciplinary engagements addressing ideas of collaboration and multiplicity. These spectacular and everyday interactions comprised an interconnected programme featuring artists, musicians, designers, writers, thinkers, collectives and members of the public who were invited to distort notions of selfhood and togetherness in the spirit of creating a global community.

Through its initial archive on The Showroom’s website, and now it's more dynamic and focussed presence on theVOV, Collective Intimacy endures to resonate in a moment whereby activists and allies across the globe have been acting against unrelenting racial violence. In reflection of how the anti-racist movement and COVID-19 pandemic have further exposed pre-existing struggles for communities and culture-makers, it is our hope that this new digital context of Collective Intimacy expands its reach as a platform to connect and amplify a myriad of voices.

In this new digital format, we’re thrilled to present an immersive archive of several original Collective Intimacy events including: Phoebe Boswell’s group performances 'The Lighthouse 1 and 2' featuring a sonic conclusion by Bumi Thomas; Julianknxx’s video 'Roots for a Crown' with Thabo and Tawiah; Andrew Pierre Hart’s video 'THE GRID ALWAYS APPEARS', Larry Amponsah’s 'Looking for Sugar in the Ocean...Who is the Enemy?'; Thick/er Black Lines’ (Rianna Jade Parker & Aurella Yussuf) screening 'Black British Women/Femme Filmmakers' featuring Cecile Emeke and Emily Mulenga; and Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf’s sound and image based meditation 'Lumen' and new performance video 'Temenos' with violinist Blaize Henry.

Virtual Tour with Director, Elvira Dyangani Ose , and Katherine Finerty, Curator at The Showroom

Join Director, Elvira Dyangani Ose, and Katherine Finerty, Curator at The Showroom for a virtual tour of Collective Intimacy – Reviving a Live Programme (2019).

An Evening of Collective Intimacy with The Showroom

Join us for an evening of programming courtesy of the Showroom including:

6pm: Welcome Tour by Curators Elvira Dyangani Ose & Katherine Finerty

6:15pm: Temenos video by Producer Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf and spoken word by Violinist Blaize Henry

6:30pm: In Praise of Still Boys video and discussion with Poet Julianknxx

6:45pm: POSTSCRIPT Reflects: On Cultural Self-Reclamation and the Female Gaze through film with Founder Chinasa Chukwu in conversation with Filmmaker Sis Gurdal and Co-Founder & Editorial Director Elvira Vedelago

7:30pm: Mother Tongue, Mother Master video and sound set by Artist Phoebe Collings-James

8pm: Cheers & Good Night