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Pensioners in art attack shock! East London Geezers get into gear for design and technology show

Wednesday 23 January 2008

A group of East London pensioners have been drawing on years of experience for a new art exhibition set to go on show at the SPACE gallery in Bethnal Green from 25 January to 1 March 2008.

Members of The Geezers Club, based at Age Concern in Tower Hamlets, have been collaborating with celebrated community artist Loraine Leeson as part of a project to reconnect pensioners with current technological design.

Their innovative plans for a Thames tidal turbine to help power London will now go on display alongside the work of other professional artists collaborating with older people at an exhibition entitled The Not Quite Yet – On the Margins of Technology.

Loraine, a University of East London (UEL) Research Fellow, said: “Technology has developed dramatically over recent years, and it’s all too easy for older people to switch off to the world of design and innovation. The Not Quite Yet asks how they can re-engage with the process, and how we can all benefit from their extensive wisdom and knowledge.

“The Geezers were invited to think about how technology could improve life for both themselves and the wider community. Their thoughts quickly turned to the Thames, with some of the men recalling how a water wheel had once been attached to London Bridge. This led to a discussion of tidal turbine technology, an idea developed during their lifetime, but which has largely been set aside in favour of wind farms as the major source of alternative power.

"Drawing on personal expertise and specialist advice from UEL's Sustainability Research Institute, the Geezers have now developed a practical proposal for how the tidal power of the Thames can be harnessed to help power London.”

Loraine Leeson is Director of cSPACE arts organisation at the University of East London. Her artistic practice is centred on the exploration of art as a catalyst for social change, and she has been engaging with east London communities around issues of regeneration and identity for over two decades.

The Not Quite Yet – On the Margins of Technology will go on show at the SPACE gallery in Bethnal Green from 25 January to 1 March. For further details, visit www.spacestudios.org.uk or call 020 8525 4338.

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For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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