
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.
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February 2025
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
Coastal Electronauts' Estuary Waves brought a night of hypnotic electronics and immersive visuals to Fourth Portal. A diverse lineup of artists delivered experimental soundscapes, deep drones, and glitch-infused performances, creating a rich, atmospheric experience.
Coastal Electronauts Estuary Waves
April 2024
Gravesend’s own Hypermedia returned to Fourth Portal for another evening of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic, and discussion. Possibly the most diverse and relaxed lineup to date, Hypermedia Open Space 8 saw its youngest performer yet, Nola, aged 8, receive a roaring reception, followed by Tony, aged 84, who was met with equal appreciation.
Hypermedia DIY Open Space 8
April 2024
"Hypermedia returned, building on February’s packed event with an even larger audience. A full, non-stop programme of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic, visuals, artist talks, and discussion ran from 7:00pm to 11:00pm, curated by Hypermedia Events."
Hypermedia DIY Open Space 7
March 2024
For The Sick And Poor
MA Fine Art students from Central Saint Martins took over Fourth Portal for a bold and immersive group exhibition. Featuring performance, sculpture, painting, sound, and video, the show brought together eight emerging artists exploring themes of identity, perception, and materiality.
CSM MA Fine Art Takeover
March 2024
Fourth Portal welcomed renowned pianist Julian Jacobson for an intimate sell-out performance, showcasing the versatility and depth of an ageing yet beautiful upright piano. The evening included a pre-concert talk on historic 78 RPM recordings, followed by a stunning programme spanning Beethoven, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Satie, and more.
Julian Jacobson
February 2024
Fourth Portal was proud to host a sell-out matinee performance by Evan Parker, a pioneering figure in European free jazz and free improvisation. The Sunday afternoon format proved popular, with a last-minute surge in demand leading to walk-ups being turned away at the door.
Evan Parker
February 2024
The Fourth Portal served as the triage centre for the NHS South East Coast Ambulance Service during Operation Big Red Ship, a major incident exercise led by the RNLI. The large-scale simulation tested emergency response procedures, bringing together multiple agencies to coordinate life-saving efforts on the River Thames.
RNLI Major Incident Exercise
February 2024
A full Fourth Portal with a packed performance roster for the first Hypermedia Open Space of 2024 of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic, visuals, art, and discussion. Curated by Gravesend’s own Hypermedia Events, the night attracted audiences and performers from across Kent, London, and Gravesham.
Hypermedia DIY Open Space 6
February 2024
Textiles, Garb and the Thames explored the clothing of those working on the Thames - past, present, and future - through textiles, poetry, song, storytelling, and workshops. From the Watermen to the evolving attire of Gravesend Riverside workers, the event examined how clothing reflects labour, identity, and cultural change along the river.
Textiles, Garb and the Thames
February 2024
Two sell-out shows saw the Laserium transport audiences beyond the usual live performance, immersing them in a visual and sound mindscape. Post-event reviews described the experience as evoking the creation of the universe, forming unexpected narratives, and delivering sensorial experiences that transcended traditional perception.
Funki Porcini Laserium Sunday
January 2024
Funki Porcini discussed the design and engineering behind his 800-laser Laserium rig in advance of the full one-hour immersive shows, joined by Andy Payne, who assisted with its engineering, and Nicky Cure from Mechanismo. Together, they explored the intersections of lasers, robotics, and design, including the creation of the Crawley Bots.
Lasers and Robots Talk
January 2024
More than 450 visitors queued on Saturday night of the Gravesham Light Festival for Funki Porcini’s Laserium. The 10-minute taster filled the darkened Fourth Portal with 800 synchronised lasers, pulsating to an original score. Reviews ranged from exceptionally calming to imagining the universe forming.
Funki Porcini Laserium Saturday
January 2024
Over 350 attendees queued at the Fourth Portal during the Gravesham Light Festival to experience Funki Porcini's 10-minute Laserium taster. Reviews described the experience as calming, relaxing, and incredibly immersive, with some likening it to being fired into space.
Funki Porcini Laserium Friday
January 2024
Down from London at Fourth Portal explored the shifting urban landscapes of London and their parallels with Gravesend through the lens of photographer Paul Halliday. The evening featured a presentation of Halliday’s work, followed by a panel discussion with local photographers and a Q&A on urban change and 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
December 2023
May 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
December 2023
July 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