‘Vision Quest – A Ritual for Elephant & Castle’
Unit 237 (upper Floor), Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre, SE1 6TE
18:30, 20:00 & 21:30 - Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
12th – 29th April, 2012
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The Vision Quest documentary follows Marcus Coates as he endeavors to locate animal spirits to guide a community experiencing a disruptive redevelopment scheme. For this unlikely urban adventure, a group of residents from the iconic Heygate Estate*, local politicians from Southwark Council and the psychedelic doom rock orchestra Chrome Hoof, collectively embark on a journey into the depths of neighborhood, presenting an alternative, inventive and entertaining approach to dealing with contemporary social issues, such as gentrification & the economic crisis.
A Vision Quest is a rite of passage undertaken in the pursuit of knowledge. This often lasts for a number of days while the individual communicates with the spirit world. Usually, a guardian animal will come in a vision or dream to guide the individual towards truth.
* Completed in 1974, the Heygate’s generously sized flats were initially popular with council tenants, but the estate gradually struggled with a reputation for violence and deprivation during the Thatcher era. Today, the estate is 99% vacated, save for a small number of leaseholders. It presently awaits demolition.
photo by Nick David
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