Surviving Babylon is a full day of multi-sensory gathering: combining art, performance, technology, and ancestral veneration. Centring and exploring Black survival in its many forms. Exploring the magic and the mystery that emerges when you survive something very very difficult. As Black people who have been forced to find home in Babylon, to survive in this world we are coerced into turning our back on our own cultures, people and histories. The chaos of this world is overwhelming. Yet when did this world exist without chaos? Our ancestors were survivors of so much violence and disruption, they fell back on community and creativity as a source to strive forward. Surviving Babylon is in their spirit of collective strength and survival. How can we find beauty within late stage capitalism? How can we honour the past, present and future within our art?
What to expect:
3-4pm – Intergenerational Conversations/ Reflections: A dialogue with Dorothea Smartt (Black lesbian and Gay centre)- exploring community building across generations.
2-6pm – Collective Shrine Building: We begin by creating a shared shrine of Gratitude. Gratitude is the thread that connects us to our ancestors, to cherish and acknowledge the hard work that brought us into this world. Everyone who attends is encouraged to bring an offering. This can look like personal objects, fruit, honey, flowers, chalk, sound, memory. At the end of the day we will all take our objects back home.
– Virtual Reality Experience: Scan a QR code to enter a live VR world. As you move your phone, digital sculptures and shapes will appear in real time, merging physical and virtual reality.
7.30-8.30pm– Non-Linear Performance: Our curation of Black Poets, vocalists, and musicians will perform collaboratively, blending soundscape and improvisation throughout the space.
Featuring:
Chloe Filani| Edward Adonteng| Dirg Aaab Richard| Makella Ama| Oduenyi| Wura| Bukky| Bartholomew Benzar| Fungsdae| Dorothea Smartt| Munya|
This event explores how we create connection and meaning through chaos, as the world keeps tilting its floors. How can we build knowledge and acknowledge the synchronicities and harmonies that can be accessed while still living in the ruins of Babylon.
Join us on the 23rd of November 2025 | 2PM – 9PM for a beautiful exploration.