Did We Leave The Lights On
What is the price of creativity in 2018? And can everyone afford it? Shot entirely on a mini DV camcorder and using candid voice notes as commentary, Southwark-born artist and director Daniel Oduntan ponders the issue of practice and sustainability for low-income artists in a post-Brexit world. In the film, Oduntan explores the link between social housing and creativity among the diaspora in Southwark and surrounding parts of London. The role these communal spaces play in the arts and how the arts can be a path to healing and progress for residents. Will the falling numbers of affordable homes bring an end to this creativity? If so, what will take its place?We hear from several Southwark residents, many of whom are from working class backgrounds and live in council housing. There’s photographer and illustrator Harry Alemu, product designer and creative technologist Alex Fefegha, artist/songwriter Joy Crookes, Tate curator Peju Oshin, Pempeople founder Nicholas Okwulu, sociology grad Saffon and IT teacher and social advisor Moses Alemu.Layered with an original soundtrack of unfinished demos and sketched ideas from Daniel, ‘Did We Leave the Lights On?’ is a snapshot of Southwark now and a prologue to Oduntan’s forthcoming photography project Soul Complex 2010—2012.– Amar Patel
Featuring Daniel Oduntan / Harry Alemu / Alex Fefegha / Joy Crookes / Saffon / Nicholas Okwulu / Moses Alemu / Peju Oshin
Score
This Distance Between Us
Did We Leave The Lights On
Boy [Tales Of Brave Ulysses]
Red Don't Let The Night
All songs written and performed by Daniel Oduntan
Mixed and mastered by Ben Hixon
Album art design by Euphemia Franklin
Neon artwork by 2inspire and Dwane Coleman
Director Statement 'Did We Leave The Lights On' is a memory piece to me – in it I'm revisiting an unfinished photography project I worked on between 2010–2012 but stopped due to mental health challenges. It's me looking at and coming to terms with unfulfilled dreams and potential, as well as exploring the physical and mental impacts of social housing and creativity within Southwark's Black diaspora, post regeneration.
Featuring Daniel Oduntan / Harry Alemu / Alex Fefegha / Joy Crookes / Saffon / Nicholas Okwulu / Moses Alemu / Peju Oshin
Score
This Distance Between Us
Did We Leave The Lights On
Boy [Tales Of Brave Ulysses]
Red Don't Let The Night
All songs written and performed by Daniel Oduntan
Mixed and mastered by Ben Hixon
Album art design by Euphemia Franklin
Neon artwork by 2inspire and Dwane Coleman
Director Statement 'Did We Leave The Lights On' is a memory piece to me – in it I'm revisiting an unfinished photography project I worked on between 2010–2012 but stopped due to mental health challenges. It's me looking at and coming to terms with unfulfilled dreams and potential, as well as exploring the physical and mental impacts of social housing and creativity within Southwark's Black diaspora, post regeneration.