‘I am London’ was an exhibition curated in 2016 by Historic England. The description of the exhibition, as published in the accompanying guide, states that: “London’s historic buildings and places are as much a part of the city’s DNA as the people who live and work in it.
I am London is a celebration of the capital’s unique and complex identity; as much about its scientific endeavour, cutting edge art, performance and design, politics and campaigning, as its pubs, Pearly Kings and parks. It’s a snapshot of London in microcosm, told through its people and places.
60 Londoners, each with a different story to tell, have been photographed at a historic building or place that’s special to them. Each person’s unique London story is bound up in the place they have chosen, showing the city’s heritage is inspirational, provocative, frustrating, fun, familiar, humbling and home.
We want Londoners to be alive to their heritage, to ensure that, as London grows and changes, it keeps its essential character. From Soho to Brixton, from city to suburbs, London’s great old places keep on embracing generation after generation of Londoners — in turn, they light up our city with new ideas and fresh thinking. If we lose London’s fabric and character, we will lose something very precious.”
This image shows Josh Rosen, described in the exhibition guide as “Stage Manager, O2 Academy Brixton”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Josh Rosen: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “For me, the real London is the East End around the Tobacco docks. There’s a lot of history there. The old city has a rich history of buildings and architecture, which I’m really fond of. My Dad used to take me around the City of London when I was younger. If you look up you see a lot more than you usually see walking the streets, with the gargoyles at the top of buildings.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “I’d send a postcard of Tower Bridge. I used to be a member of the Maritime Volunteer Service, we used to ride up and down the Thames on boats supporting various events. Tower Bridge fascinates me in the way that it works and its architectural history.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I’d save the O2 Brixton Academy from another Great Fire. I work here and love the place. It has a great history too. Music is a big part of London with all its different cultures.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “What do I owe London? My life.”
This is part of the Job: 2K/27167 'I Am London' Exhibition - Josh Rosen, Stage Manager; within the Volume: VF000591 'I Am London' Exhibition; within the Series: HEC01/139 'I Am London' Exhibition; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Historic England Archive
Photographer: Redgrave, Christopher: Historic England
Concert Hall, Cinema, People Posed