‘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 Sir Paul Nurse, described in the exhibition guide as “Nobel Laureate and Director, Francis Crick Institute, The Royal Society”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Sir Paul Nurse: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “Clerkenwell is the real London for me. It’s a quirky place, artisan origins, little streets and shops, upmarket in parts and downmarket in parts, it has housing estates and the grand Georgian terraces.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “I would choose the famous view from Hampstead Heath looking over all of London as my postcard. You can see the great historic buildings. You can also see the new Francis Crick Institute that I’m setting up, so it’s connected to the future as well as the past.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I would save the British Museum from another Great Fire. Its intellectual and cultural significance goes beyond London. It’s often argued it’s the world’s museum and that the world is refracted and preserved in London.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “London is responsible for my own personal enlightenment. It goes beyond my education, it was me becoming a citizen. So bringing enlightenment to others is what I owe London.”
This is part of 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
Georgian Town House, Georgian Terrace, People Posed
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