FOURTH PORTAL
GATEWAY TO THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
EVENT ARCHIVE
Welcome to our events archive, which documents events held from summer 2023 at the Fourth Portal.
The return of the experimental all-day open Alternative Gravesham showcase blew all expectations out of the water. On a cold day with heavy rain, many turned out to perform and support, the youngest being 11 years old and many premiers. The exchange and collaboration were incredible.
Alternative Gravesham II
A busy evening of electronics and visuals in advance of the Coastal Electronauts annual celebration of drone, community, and experimental sounds in Canterbury, Fourth Portal welcomed Coastal Electronauts, presenting Estuary Waves. .
Coastal Electronauts Estuary Waves
An utterly relaxed and busy Hypermedia Open Space 8, with the youngest performer yet, Elsie, aged 8, receiving a roaring reception and the most diverse line-up to date.
Hypermedia DIY Open Space 8
April 2024
Hypermedia was back building upon the packed February event of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic, visuals, artist talks and discussion and attracted an even larger audience. A full, non-stop programme ran from 7.00pm until 11.00pm. Curated by Hypermedia Events.
Hypermedia DIY Open Space 7
March 2024
For The Sick And Poor
MA Fine Art students take over Fourth Portal for a compelling group exhibition of performance, sculpture, painting, sound and video crafted by eight emerging artists from Central Saint Martins in London, part of the University of the Arts London.
CSM MA Fine Art Takeover
March 2024
One of Britain's finest pianists, Julian Jacobson came to Gravesend and did not disappoint. The audience was engrossed and glowing in their post-event reviews below. Julian played some classic pieces by Beethoven, Satie and Debussy without sheet music and some more challenging, lesser-known works.
Julian Jacobson
February 2024
Fourth Portal was proud to host a sell-out full-house for saxophonist Evan Parker, a substantial figure in European free jazz and free improvisation. The Sunday matinee format proved popular with a last-minute rush and the need to turn away walk-ups without a ticket.
Evan Parker
February 2024
The Fourth Portal became the triarge centre for the NHS South East Coast Ambulance Service major incident exercise led by the RNLI, named Operation Big Red Ship.
RNLI Major Incident Exercise
February 2024
A full house and performance roster on the first Hypermedia Open Space of 2024. DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic, visuals, art and discussion ran from 7pm until 11pm. Curated by Gravesend's very own Hypermedia Events, the occasion attracts audiences and performers from across Kent, London and Gravesham.
Hypermedia DIY Open Space 6
February 2024
This exhibition was an inquiry into the clothing of those working on the Thames explored through textiles, poetry, song, storytelling and workshops - from the Watermen to the future of Gravesend Riverside workers and what they wear.
Textiles, Garb and the Thames
February 2024
Two sell-out shows, the Laserium took the audience on a journey beyond the usual live performance experience, creating a visual and sound mindscape. Post-events reviews speak of the creation of the universe, the formation of unexpected narratives and sensorial experiences.
Funki Porcini Laserium Sunday
January 2024
Funki Porcini discussed the building of his 750-laser Laserium rig before his fully immersive evening performances, accompanied by Andy Payne and Nicky Cure from Mechanismo with their Crawley Bots.
Lasers and Robots Talk
January 2024
More than 450 queued and were pulsed through the Fourth Portal on the Saturday night of the Graveseham Light Festival to experience the 10-minute taster of the Laserium by Funki Porcini. Reviews stemmed from exceptionally calming to imagining the universe forming.
Funki Porcini Laserium Saturday
January 2023
More than 350 queued and were pulsed through the Fourth Portal Lab on the Friday night of the Graveseham Light Festival to experience the 10-minute taster of the Laserium by Funki Porcini. Reviews included being fired into space, calming, relaxing and incredibly immersive.
Funki Porcini Laserium Friday
January 2024
London based photographer and convenor of Goldsmith's MA in Photography and Urban Culture, Paul Halliday, spent 20 years making images of various parts of London. Paul presented a selection, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A on parallels with Gravesend and developing photographic practice.
Down From London
January 2024
An evening to launch the Versatility of Paper newspaper invited all the artists who submitted artwork to join and view the exhibition, collect the newspaper and meet each other along with others interested in the exhibition, papermaking or the papermaking industry.
Versatility of Paper Launch
May 2023
December 2023
Hypermedia returned for Day One of a BIG WEEKEND of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic, visuals, artist talks and discussion. Curated by Gravesend's very own Hypermedia Events.
Hypermedia Open Space 5
December 2023
A special screening of 3D drone footage of the SS Richard Montgomery Medway shipwreck and how the Port of London Authority identify other wreaks in the Thames and estuary.
SS Richard Montgomery Screening
December 2023
Hypermedia returned for Day One of a BIG WEEKEND of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic, visuals, artist talks and discussion. Curated by Gravesend's very own Hypermedia Events.
Hypermedia DIY Open Space 4
December 2023
An open invitation to the annual celebration of Saint Andrew's Day and Seafarers Service at St. Andrew's Waterside Mission Church, Gravesend.
St Andrew's Day
November 2023
Professor Emeritus John Wood introduced his ‘New School Futures’ project that envisages the future of learning as an affordable and natural by-product of local community regeneration.
New School Futures Talk
November 2023
Building upon the incredibly previous busy and exciting Open House, Hypermedia returned for a third time to the Fourth Portal for an emerging evening of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic and discussion.
Hypermedia DIY Open Space 3
October 2023
A rare opportunity to see the extraordinary musician Mike Cooper performing live in the intimate Fourth Portal Lab.
Mike Cooper
October 2023
An all-day music event with an eclectic line-up of electronic & leftfield artists from all over Kent to celebrate Gravesend's local community & beyond.
Ombrella Concrete Plus Friends
October 2023
The Papermaking session was an opportunity to drop in and have a go at making a piece of handmade paper with the former head papermaker from Empire Paper Mills, Greenhithe and award-winning print artist in residence, Dawn Cole.
Papermaking Drop-In
September 2023
Following the incredibly busy and exciting August Open House, Hypermedia returned to the Fourth Portal for an emerging evening of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic and discussion.
Curated by Gravesend artists Hypermedia.
Hypermedia DIY Open Space 2
September 2023
The monthly meetup is for computing enthusiasts to exchange ideas, kit and talk all things computing.
We had three more proper old skool retro computers, all working
Homage to the Homebrew Computer Club 3
September 2023
Following the successful Wavelength Orchestra performance in June, an even large ensemble returned to Bawley Bay (next to the Fourth Portal) for another afternoon of sound-making.
Wavelength Orchestra Aug23
August 2023
An experimental all-day open event to showcase some of Gravesham's more unusual goings-on. Performance and presentations were tilted towards new technology, although they were not essential.
Alternative Gravesham
August 2023
Hypermedia presented an emerging evening of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic and discussion.
Curated by Gravesend artists Hypermedia.
Hypermedia DIY Open Space 1
August 2023
The monthly meetup for computing enthusiasts to exchange ideas, kit and talk all things computing.
Homage to the Homebrew Computer Club 2
August 2023
Soundings Part 1 | Afternoon: Minimal, ambient electronic music, sound and electronics.
Soundings Part One
July 2023
Soundings Part 2 | An evening of free-form experimental electronics.
Soundings Part Two
July 2023
Daniel Merrill performed his New Album with support from Rev. Matt Simpkins
Nujumi with Reverend Matt Simpkins
July 2023
The Fourth Portal presents, along with Mark Gladwell, Homage to the Homebrew Computer Club. This occasional meetup is for those interested in everything computers, from joystick design to program development.
Homage to the Homebrew Computer Club 1
June 2023
The Versatility of Paper call out took place in July 2023 and generated a fantastic response from artists across Gravesham and the country, leading to a papermaking workshop and a printed newspaper.
Versatility of Paper Summer
July 2023
December 2023
The first Wavelength Orchestra was an open-access group of musicians brought together to perform a long-form, slowly evolving piece of music - the score of which is the River Thames breaking on the beach.
Wavelength Orchestra Jun23
June 2023