A screening of the 49min film Another Utopia (2015), by Albert Potrony. This will be followed by a talk to reconsider the significance of the co-operative housing model today.

Through collective storytelling the film charts the journey of a politically engaged and visionary group of individuals, who sought to develop new ways of building communities through co-operative housing. Revisiting the organic and sometimes turbulent emergence of this alternative commune and its subsequent development into a funded co-operative housing entity, the film highlights the conflicts and sense of possibility of the time. Tracing roots from the peace movement, Notting Hill housing activism groups, feminism and gay liberation, the narrative captures a fertile period in recent history.

Artist Albert Potrony has worked in collaboration with members of Abeona Housing Co-operative and volunteers from the local community on a year-long project researching the squatting, short life and housing co-operative movement of the 70’s and 80’s in Camden, London.

This is a free event.

This film forms part of an art installation at the Swiss Cottage Gallery from February 23rd to April 5th 2015. In the context of a deepening housing crisis and community fragmentation, Another Utopia examines an alternative model of housing and living, a reminder that even in today’s individualistic society we have the power to effect change when working together.

Other screenings and talks will take place across London during the exhibition as follows:

• 20th March 6.30 pm  at Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4QH
• 31st March 7.00 pm  end of show screening and discussion at Camden Local Studies and Archive Centre, 32-38 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8PA

You can visit the project’s blog at http://anotherutopia.tumblr.com