Neolithic Cannibals Exhibition

Exhibition Design for Class Divide as part of Brighton Festival 2024.

This exhibtion was the result of a socially engaged sound art project from the young people of Whitehawk and East Brighton, and artist Simon James. Through a series of workshops the young people of Whitehawk listened to and sounded the contemporary environment of East Brighton using the Whitehawk Hill Neolithic Camp as a symbolic focal point and inspiration for their sonic explorations. The exhibtion invites deep listening to an area that can often be considered hidden and unheard.

The exhibitions focus was very much on the sounds the young people had gathered and created, eight speakers suspended from the ceiling allowed people to enter the space and place themselves in the centre of the sounds, marked by a giant floor graphic of the neolithic camp that inspired the project. Projected visuals accompanied the sounds, and a number of historic documents, archeological finds and models helped add context to the projects origins.

The exhibition graphics were suspended from the ceiling in multiple layers, with huge banners introducing the project. An A3 handout was produced which acts as a poster and details information about the project and Class Divide.

Stanley James Press worked alongside Curtis James of Class Divide and artist Simon James to design the exhibition identity along with all wall and floor graphics. We also designed the exhibition handout.

Sound artists include Amelia, Amy, Gracie-May, Harry, Izzy, Leonie, Levan, Sophia and Tasia.

Neolithic Cannibals is a Class Divide production directed by Simon James, commissioned by Brighton Festival and produced in partnership with Lighthouse. Photographs of space by Phoebe Wingrove.