A soundscape of inheritance at Black Music Archive

A unique exhibition in South London features a fascinating map of local musical landmarks

by John M GómezSunday, 26 February 2012

The legacy and influence of black music explored in south London credit: John Clare

The legacy and influence of black music has led to a unique exhibition in South London. The South London Black Music Archive features memorabilia, listening posts, and a fascinating map of local musical landmarks.

Visitors to Peckham Space are invited to trace their own lineage by geographically locating memories of record shops, bars and pirate radio stations that have touched several generations of South Londoners. In exchange visitors are thanked with a copy of a beautifully designed LP – a soundscape of inheritance in which members of the youth mentoring programme Leaders of Tomorrow share songs connected to their own lives.

Although the production of the physical record draws attention to its own status as ephemera, this does not diminish its magic: like the rest of the exhibition it houses the small footprints of anonymous musical lives. But whether etched in vinyl grooves or displayed on the wall, these enriching stories reach out to generations ahead as well as to those behind.

Black Music Archive at Peckham Space until 24 March

The exhibition houses the small footprints of anonymous musical lives

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