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Thamesmead: The Town of Tomorrow
Known for its appearance in ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and Aphex Twin’s ‘Come to Daddy’ video, Thamesmead is one of London’s most iconic post-war estates. This talk explores its history and lasting significance today.
What to expect
Rising from London’s Erith marshes in the 1960s, Thamesmead was London County Council’s bold attempt to build a new town, addressing the city’s housing shortage after the Second World War. Noted for its daring, experimental design – concrete modern terraces, blocks of flats and elevated walkways built around a system of lakes and canals – the town received attention from architects, sociologists and politicians throughout the world but also gained notoriety as the backdrop to Stanley Kubrick’s film, ‘A Clockwork Orange’.
In this talk, a panel will discuss the story of this influential but often misunderstood town, through a closer look at its architecture, community and people
London Metropolitan Archives
Courtesy Tara Darby (3)
Courtesy of Titmuss Avenue Baptist Church
Booking information
Adult: £12
Student/concession: £8
Members: £5
Please note the event is now fully booked.
Speakers
Ben Weaver
Ben Weaver is a graphic designer and art director. He established a design studio in London in 2001. He has been the art director of The Wire magazine since 2008, and Free skateboarding magazine since 2015. In 2011, he co-founded Here Press, a publishing house committed to exploring the possibilities of documentary photography in book form.
Peter Chadwick
Peter Chadwick is a London-based art director, graphic designer, author and tutor at Chelsea College of Art. His book ‘This Brutal World’ was published by Phaidon in 2016 and ‘The Town of Tomorrow, 50 Years of Thamesmead’, was published by Here Press in 2019.
Tara Darby
Tara Darby is a film-maker and photographer who has a passion for telling human stories. Tara has worked for many international titles including Another, Dazed & Confused and Japanese Vogue. Tara has recently completed her first feature length film entitled Run It Out which tells the story of ultra-marathoner Robin Arzon.
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Background image credit | Bexley Local Studies & Archive Centre. Photograph featured on the cover of 'The Town of Tomorrow: 50 Years of Thamesmead’.Published by Here Press