Dear Friends,

Today we did a performance piece in Deptford, South London.

We've written this to explain it:

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Today a contingent of ten people walked from The Albany, Deptford to the south end of Deptford high street; the previous site of an anchor monument. The contingent lay down bin bags in the shape of an anchor on the ground. We waited for 2 minutes during the organised silence and then removed the bags and returned to the Albany. After this met back at our studio for a shared lunch in front of the fire.

The much loved anchor celebrating Deptford's maritime history has been removed by the council leaving the high street bare and the people of Deptford bewildered.

The anchor became a symbol of hope and stability within the community. However, it was removed due to a belief, by the council, that it was a location for public drinking, thus creating an 'eyesore'. This move was believed to solve the very real problem of alcoholism.

This peaceful performance was intended to highlight the local conflict between the people of Depford and the council. To give a voice to the silenced anchor, in turn highlighting a local silenced conflict over the gentrification process taking place.

This performance was a part of a London wide project: http://www.silentcacophony.co.uk/
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And this to Document it:

www.benjaminburtenshaw.co.uk/anchor

All the Best

Ben Burtenshaw & Tess Faria