
On the Freestage
2–6pm SAMO©, but Different
Co-curated with Poet in the City, listen to talks and performances delving into the interdisciplinary creative scene Basquiat was a part of. Each session will focus on one of the following themes, Legacy, Mythology, Text and Music.
6pm Basquiat Hack
See what young creatives from our Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning programmes produce after a two day marathon cross arts hack.
6.30pm Poetic Chronicles
Hear Keisha Thompson and Belinda Zhawi's Poetic Chronicles inspired by the day’s debates and discussions.
Foyers & Fountain Room
12noon–6pm
Zine making with Holly Casio and Megan Pickering
Use newspapers, magazines, comics and other printed materials to cut, copy, paste and create their own DIY publication exploring identity, self-expression and performance.
Behind the Scene with Slashstroke Magazine
Slashstroke studio will create a fully immersive 3D space that allows participants to produce their own dynamic/abstracted photographic portraits. Take the picture, direct the scene, be in the image, create the message.
1.00–3pm
Binary Graffiti Club Workshop
Binary Graffiti Club invite you to think about your future and the future of politics, in a workshop where participants will come up with their own manifesto by actively exploring your roles in the world. Inspired by the work of artist Stanza, participants will be invited to join the project on the foyers and spray and stencil their work within an installation.
Participants must be over 16. To book your place, please email [email protected] with the subject: Binary Graffiti.
3–6pm
Roundtable discussion hosted by Jacob Sam-La Rose, curated by Poet in the City
Cultural appropriation or cultural appreciation? Where is the line? Basquiat trod the line of appropriation, layering his ideas over others to redefine meaning and rewrite stories. Join us as we investigate the meaning of cultural appropriation and if it can ever be a good thing…
You can book a spot at the table to contribute to the discussion here.
Belinda Zhawi will be taking poetic-chronicles throughout these sessions, transforming the discussions into a performance piece shared on the SAMO©, but Different stage.
Belinda Zhawi is a Zimbabwean born writer, educator & resident of London. She’s co-founder & host of the bi-monthly poetry social, BORN::FREE. Belinda was the 2016/17 Institute of Contemporary Arts Associate Poet. She’s currently working on her debut pamphlet collection. .
Holly Casio is a zine maker, writer and workshop facilitator – she uses collage, text and illustrations to create zines and comix relating to mental health, queer identity, and pop culture.
Megan Pickering is an artist who explores intersectional feminism, queerness and class. Megan uses zine making as a way of exploring personal politics in awkwardly honest ways.
Barbican Foyers
Location
Level G,
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
£6 Young Barbican exhibition tickets
Aged 16-25? Sign up for free and unlock £6 exhibition tickets for you and a mate
Discover

Listen: Basquiat and Downtown on Spotify
Music had a big impact on Basquiat's art. Listen to a sample in our Basquiat playlist....

Long Read: Basquiat & Downtown
Tim Lawrence remembers the cultural renaissance that was downtown New York's music scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Basquiat-themed Pinterest board
A look at Downtown New York in the 70s and 80s, and how it influenced Basquiat's work.