‘Silent Spaces’ by Soumik Datta Arts

27 April – 14 May 2021

 

Project description

‘Silent Spaces’ is a creative lockdown response driven by a pervading sense of Covid-induced personal and professional loneliness, envisioned by musician, composer and TV presenter Soumik Datta (Rhythms of India – BBC Four), and directed by award-winning filmmaker Souvid Datta. It sees the brothers join a diverse team of British Asian, African, Caribbean, Middle East, East and South East Asian musicians and dancers as they venture into iconic venues like British Museum and The Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as Depot Mayfield in Manchester and The Sage in Gateshead. 

Read the full Press Release here.

Produced by charity Soumik Datta Arts (SDA), the resulting six films explore resonant themes in keeping with the choice of venue – confronting issues around mental health, activism, the environment, colonisation and identity. Ultimately – by reconnecting and facing these pertinent and often uncomfortable issues through creativity – the performers were rewarded with a sense of hope for the future of the arts industry and its role in shaping cultural conversations for the better.  The six episodes and their release dates are (they typically premiere between 9-11am BST):

27 April: British Museum – Messengers

Organiser’s bio

Soumik Datta Arts is a charity that pioneers collaborative music, film, theatre and digital projects while creating platforms for new and emerging talent. Set up in 2013 by Sir David Green and composer, presenter and Sarod-virtuoso Soumik Datta, SDA has a strong track record in UK arts education and training, as well as championing traditional and contemporary arts, culture and heritage projects.

Watch Full Playlist
Read Press Release
Photo by Souvid Datta. Soumik Datta enters Depot Mayfield, Manchester. Silent Spaces -Reclaiming iconic cultural spaces, performance halls and empty museums that have been out of action during the COVID-19 pandemic, and breaking their silences with new music, dance and hope, Silent Spaces' is a powerful new project, a 6 part series of videos and brand new music album led by musician Soumik Datta and a diverse community of musicians, dancers and artists A creative lockdown response driven by a pervading sense of Covid-induced personal and professional loneliness, Silent Spaces was envisioned by musician, composer and TV presenter Soumik Datta (Rhythms of India – BBC Four), and directed by award-winning filmmaker Souvid Datta. It sees the brothers join a diverse team of British Asian, black and ethnic minority musicians and dancers as they venture into iconic venues like British Museum and The Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as Depot Mayfield in Manchester and The Sage in Gateshead. Produced by charity Soumik Datta Arts (SDA), the resulting six films explore resonant themes in keeping with the choice of venue - confronting issues around mental health, activism, the environment, colonisation and identity. Ultimately - by reconnecting and facing these pertinent and often uncomfortable issues through creativity - the performers were rewarded with a sense of hope for the future of the arts industry and its role in shaping cultural conversations for the better.
Photo by Natalja Safronova. Royal Albert Hall/Auditorium. Midori Jaeger, Soumik Datta, Rosabella Gregory, Meera Raja performing (LTR), filmed by Souvid Datta,Jerzy Gudjonsson (LTR). Silent Spaces -Reclaiming iconic cultural spaces, performance halls and empty museums that have been out of action during the COVID-19 pandemic, and breaking their silences with new music, dance and hope, Silent Spaces' is a powerful new project, a 6 part series of videos and brand new music album led by musician Soumik Datta and a diverse community of musicians, dancers and artists A creative lockdown response driven by a pervading sense of Covid-induced personal and professional loneliness, Silent Spaces was envisioned by musician, composer and TV presenter Soumik Datta (Rhythms of India – BBC Four), and directed by award-winning filmmaker Souvid Datta. It sees the brothers join a diverse team of British Asian, black and ethnic minority musicians and dancers as they venture into iconic venues like British Museum and The Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as Depot Mayfield in Manchester and The Sage in Gateshead. Produced by charity Soumik Datta Arts (SDA), the resulting six films explore resonant themes in keeping with the choice of venue - confronting issues around mental health, activism, the environment, colonisation and identity. Ultimately - by reconnecting and facing these pertinent and often uncomfortable issues through creativity - the performers were rewarded with a sense of hope for the future of the arts industry and its role in shaping cultural conversations for the better.
SilentSpaces_Hawkwood_---7
Photo by Souvid Datta. The Lexington. Soumik Datta, Yelfris Valdés, John Pfumojena (LTR). Silent Spaces -Reclaiming iconic cultural spaces, performance halls and empty museums that have been out of action during the COVID-19 pandemic, and breaking their silences with new music, dance and hope, Silent Spaces' is a powerful new project, a 6 part series of videos and brand new music album led by musician Soumik Datta and a diverse community of musicians, dancers and artists A creative lockdown response driven by a pervading sense of Covid-induced personal and professional loneliness, Silent Spaces was envisioned by musician, composer and TV presenter Soumik Datta (Rhythms of India – BBC Four), and directed by award-winning filmmaker Souvid Datta. It sees the brothers join a diverse team of British Asian, black and ethnic minority musicians and dancers as they venture into iconic venues like British Museum and The Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as Depot Mayfield in Manchester and The Sage in Gateshead. Produced by charity Soumik Datta Arts (SDA), the resulting six films explore resonant themes in keeping with the choice of venue - confronting issues around mental health, activism, the environment, colonisation and identity. Ultimately - by reconnecting and facing these pertinent and often uncomfortable issues through creativity - the performers were rewarded with a sense of hope for the future of the arts industry and its role in shaping cultural conversations for the better.
Photo by Souvid Datta. Sage Gateshead. Ruth Patterson. Silent Spaces- Reclaiming iconic cultural spaces, performance halls and empty museums that have been out of action during the COVID-19 pandemic, and breaking their silences with new music, dance and hope, Silent Spaces' is a powerful new project, a 6 part series of videos and brand new music album led by musician Soumik Datta and a diverse community of musicians, dancers and artists A creative lockdown response driven by a pervading sense of Covid-induced personal and professional loneliness, Silent Spaces was envisioned by musician, composer and TV presenter Soumik Datta (Rhythms of India – BBC Four), and directed by award-winning filmmaker Souvid Datta. It sees the brothers join a diverse team of British Asian, black and ethnic minority musicians and dancers as they venture into iconic venues like British Museum and The Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as Depot Mayfield in Manchester and The Sage in Gateshead. Produced by charity Soumik Datta Arts (SDA), the resulting six films explore resonant themes in keeping with the choice of venue - confronting issues around mental health, activism, the environment, colonisation and identity. Ultimately - by reconnecting and facing these pertinent and often uncomfortable issues through creativity - the performers were rewarded with a sense of hope for the future of the arts industry and its role in shaping cultural conversations for the better.