Output details

A Palace for Us

A Palace for Us is a 23 minute film that focuses on the residents on Woodberry Down Estate in east London. The project, commissioned by the Serpentine Gallery and Age Concern, took the form of a three year residency on the estate (2007-10). During this period Hunter recorded around thirty oral histories of elderly residents, capturing the memories of those for whom Woodberry Down, built 1946-63, was ‘a palace’ by comparison with their pre-war housing. Working with the Serpentive and Age Concern, Hunter made sound recordings of the oral histories with some on video. Hunter also researched and assembled an archive of photographic materials documenting the life and histories of the estate.

Hunter’s contribution to knowledge is to: interpret the experiences of and give voice to residents and issues they face; and to raise debates about social housing. Based on Hunter’s long-standing photographic practice focused on his neighborhood of east London, this film counters familiar stereotypes by researching and producing a community vision centred on people, architecture and urban space. Hunter selected the medium of film to animate the resident’s stories and memories, as well as wider debates. The residents were played by local children, actors and dancers.

A Palace for Us was one of five case studies in ‘Skills Exchange’, collaborative art and social research project on urban transformation and the politics of care, a multi-partnership initiative led by Goldsmiths College, University of London and the Serpentine Gallery.

A Palace for Us was screened at the Serpentine Gallery, London, widely in UK, and in Sweden (2010-2011). It was featured in Oral History Society Journal, vol.39 (2011). ISSN 0 143 0955.