REMAPPING MEMORY
I want to thank to all the people who kindly stopped from their routines and took five minutes from their days to share their thoughts and opinions with me while standing on the tube, in the middle of the street or a coffee shop. Also those ones who agreed to pose in front of my camera to get a portrait. I know how intrusive can be when a stranger asks you for a picture, so massive thanks for that.
If something I've learned from the city is not only how diverse but how generous can be as a gold mine where valuable stories from wonderful people can be found.
In order to respect to your privacy and anonymity; real names are not displayed but you know who you are and how grateful I am for your input and your confidence.
ELEPHANT & CASTLE
"The costs of transforming Elephant & Castle are more visible every year. As part of an important and large community in the zone like latinos; I feel less part of this neighborhood when more shops and more buildings are built around. This place is like a small taste of home that as Latinos we feel part of a tribe and for every time a venue, a shop or a restaurant opens; a family has been displaced. It seems like we don´t 'fit' into the concept of the 'New Elephant & Castle', like if we didn't belong here".
SHOREDICTH
"When people say Shoreditch is the 'new hipster' spot in the city, instead of making me feel excited about it becoming trendy; I just think: 'Great! just what we need, more posh and pricey chain shops to destroy the soul of this hood'. I wish this 'Shoreditchfication' stops soon, as local I don't want to think about paying more rent or having to move out 'cuz I can't simply afford it".
ELEPHANT & CASTLE
"Property developers are trying to demolish the Shopping Centre which is a representative place of the borough. It represents the essence of the communities that live here, specially us the latinos, the multiculturalism and diversity; to remove it will mean this redevelopment of urban zones if not fair. This place is the focal point for local traders, small business and a place to gather where people from different ethnical backgrounds can meet. It will be so sad to see it has been removed to build more luxury flats".
PECKHAM
"I used to live here ten years ago and I moved out when I got married but I see not only prices have increased, now is too hard to find a place to rent. People have moved to the surrounding areas because of this. Is quite bad to see how they are pushing too hard to make this area hipsterish. Beside the growth of people, and the growth of waste; is too much with the noise pollution from the small sides where the pubs and clubs are".
PECKHAM
"My mom told me how Peckham used to be years ago before becoming almost a 'fancy' neighborhood. I love how is Peckham right now 'cuz I feel all the fun stuff is here, my mates and my girlfriend, and the vibe from the place is fantastic: pubs, rooftop bars, art spaces and coffeeshops. The way she describes the 'Old Peckham' sounds to me like a different place from where I'm living right now. I don't think I would be that thrilled to live in here back then".
HARROW
"I wake up at 6.30 am to get to my job to Picccadilly Circus and everyday the commuting journey (bus-tube-walk) feels the worse way to spend my time. Nobody loves long trips from work to home, specially when transport is quite expensive during rush hours. I have considered moving to a closer area but I want to save me form the drama of dealing with irritating landlords and paying £520 monthly just to live in a tiny square like Harry Potter. The housing crisis is not a myth".