Take A Walk on Kilburn High Road
About
To transform Kilburn High Road into an interactive exhibition that unfolds the histories of the Kilburn High Road, its politics, poetics, stories and memories.
The project initiates grassroots community-oriented activities through artist-led workshops in unusual public space, celebrates the stories of people and history of Kilburn with a global perspective, and promote experienced-based creative activities for with a focus on the inclusive accessibility of the Kilburn High Road.
'Kilburn High Road is a place for me, a place where I feel I belong, and a hub with a global sense of a place.'
- The Infamous Kilburn Stroller
This project explores the tangible and intangible heritage of Kilburn High Road through 4 key themes: Senses, Time , Movement and Imagination.
Why Kilburn High Road?
Kilburn High Road has been a historical place for migrants, travellers, and duellers.
'Kilburn is an old village ... recovering much of its old importance and vitality... '
- Local Historian Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms, Kilburn and West Hampstead Past (1999)
As the boundary of Brent and Camden boroughs, and one of the focused strategic areas for regeneration in The London Plan 2021, Kilburn High Road has become a portal that connects the past, the present, and the future.
Through active engagement with the existing archive, stories, and histories of Kilburn High Road, this project produces a site-specific point of reference that connects a local sense of space with a global sense of place.
Aims
- Unite local communities across different boroughs, cultures, generational gaps, gender, and abilities by walking this cross-border road section, over and over again.
- Diversify outdoor activities on Kilburn High Road
- Initiate meeting opportunities for intergenerational knowledge exchange through artist-led workshops
- Cultivate cross-disciplinary collaboration between artists in arts, humanities and social sciences
- Connect local communities and organizations across boroughs
- Connecting local residents through cross-cultural workshops, such as community dinners, workshops, walks, events
- Promote local businesses on Kilburn High Road and help independent businesses to build connection in local communities
- Make Kilburn High Road an inclusive place that is vibrant with diverse culture
- Embed diverse cultural experiences, creative imaginations and artistic perspectives into the curation of streetscape
- Raise awareness of the accessibility of Kilburn High Road
- Introduce sustainable ways of living through activities and community resource sharing.