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Notes The RIBA Trust was proud to present a unique evening of short films focusing on urbanism and London’s changing landscape on Wednesday 29 March at 6.30pm. The highlight was an exclusive screening of indie band Saint Etienne’s What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day? Three further short films were also screened. Director Paul Kelly and band member Bob Stanley introduced the evenings’ screenings and took an on-stage question and answer session. What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day? continues Saint Etienne’s deep-seated fascination with the city of London and its inhabitants and buildings. The film is set in the vast mysterious pylon-covered wasteland that is the Lower Lea Valley, East London, on the eve of the Olympic redevelopment. Through the eyes of a paperboy on his first day at work, the band and film crew race against time to document buildings, landmarks and people before they disappear to make way for stadiums, spacious plazas and Olympic villages. David Essex, who features on the band’s critically acclaimed latest album, ‘Tales From Turnpike House’ narrates alongside Linda Robson, with accompanying musical score by St Etienne. Continuing the theme of changing London are three further short films. From Director Paul Kelly 'Today’s Special' (UK 2004, 3 min) captures London’s fast-disappearing ‘caffs’; 'The Elephant Will Never Forget' (1953) loaned from the British Transport Films archive records the last week of London’s trams, and 'Brief City' on the Festival of Britain documents the celebrations of 1951. This event was part of a RIBA Trust series examining how artistic practice and emerging cultural phenomena are widening architectural discourse and opening discussion and knowledge of architecture to a wider audience. |