Looking horizontally for a new meaning of Home with Create IRL

Written by Ajibade Haast

“ If we keep constantly pointing to the past… who archives these moments ?” ~ Sophia Thakur 2022

A full auditorium awaits in perfect stillness as vibrant images of beautiful black people, their communities and their stories dance across the screens of one of Britain's oldest galleries. The next generation of London’s Dreamers, Makers, Shapers and Thinkers are ready to take the mantle. 300 strong, on Friday the 11th of November 2022, WE are in the National Gallery and I feel at home. Thank you Create IRL. Frances asked us to carry on the conversation, this is my contribution I hope you enjoy.

The feeling of home however in London has been an elusive one for me. As a Nigerian, Yoruba, German, now London Dagenham Diasporian the experience of feeling on the outside has become a comfortable vantage point for me. However as I looked across the Horizon of super star panelist and greeted my neighbours in the audience, I was reminded we are far from alone. The community is here and we are stronger, more diverse than it has ever been. This is an exhilarating opportunity. The mesh of connections and understanding is rich and lays ground for us to take on some of the most revolutionary things to come, to take solace in the mundane and dream of entirely new futures. But for that to happen, as Sophia asked us we must archive where we are Now.

Your are here — Take 1 Relaaax

Image by @Filmabdi

The experience was beautifully introduced by Frances herself, grounding what Create IRL is and its mission, followed by a stunning selection of black British film exploring the themes of home and identity. The event was supported by London’s top DJs, sound curators and artist including DJ PDR, Dankie Sounds and Gabbrielle Oke. A stellar cast of speakers are a constant theme of the events and this one did not disappoint. 8 speakers, ranging from fine Art, education, tech, brand consultancy, commerce and film making gifted us with new perspectives on 4Provocations. Discusion led by

DREAMERS — @danielledodoo,
MAKERS- @artbyadebisi, @wearesoul
SHAPERS- @abxola, @sophiathakur
THINKERS — @butlerarchive, @freedom_balance
POETRY — @lanaire_aderemi

The themes that I will focus on are.

1. Black Britishness an articulation of the Now

2. Resisting scale for intimate Truths

I will also leave highlights, working notes and some references to check out. *This is a working document welcome to change…*