EVENT ARCHIVE

The Innovation Showcase turned Gravesend into a hub of creativity, technology, and knowledge-sharing, with academics, artists, and entrepreneurs leading interactive discussions, performances, and demonstrations. In various shops, churches, and unexpected locations, the day explored AI, machine learning, retro computing, sonic experiments, lasers, robotics, and digital futures, bringing new ideas to the heart of the this North Kent town.

A spontaneous decision to invite the crew of the visiting Spanish El Galeón Andalucía and representatives from the Port of London Authority (PLA) to discuss the art of sailing historic vessels on the modern Thames quickly turned into a lively and insightful exchange. With a bustling crowd in attendance, the event explored the challenges of navigation, maritime heritage, and the connection between past and present sailing techniques.

Hypermedia Open Space returned to the Fourth Portal for its tenth edition, bringing together an electric mix of poets, musicians, and experimental performers. The atmosphere was buzzing, with a diverse crowd of regulars and first-time visitors creating a space that felt like a gathering of old friends, despite many meeting for the first time.

Drilling for Oil was an immersive day of sculpture, discussion, participation, and performance, bringing together over 100 people from near and far. On an exceptionally cold and windy summer Bank Holiday Saturday, the gathering took a light-hearted yet thought-provoking look at our dependency on fossil fuels.

On a warm summer evening, Hypermedia Open Space 9 brought together poets, musicians, and experimental performers for another night of DIY creativity, open mic, and discussion at the Fourth Portal. With a mix of laughter, poetry, and sound experiments, the event showcased established and emerging artists, proving once again that unpredictability fuels creativity.

On a chilly, rainy election night, the Fourth Portal stayed open all night, offering a space for discussion, debate, and live coverage as the UK went to the polls.

Alternative Gravesham II returned with a day-long open house of experimentation, bringing together artists, technologists, writers, and musicians to share their latest ideas, performances, and innovations. Despite the cold and rain, the event saw a constant flow of performers and visitors, proving that Gravesham’s underground creative scene is thriving, evolving, and ready to push boundaries.

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.

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, Elsie, aged 7, receive a roaring reception, followed by Tony, aged 84, who was met with equal appreciation.

"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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An open invitation to the annual celebration of Saint Andrew's Day and Seafarers Service at St. Andrew's Waterside Mission Church, Gravesend.

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.

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.

A rare opportunity to see the extraordinary musician Mike Cooper performing live in the intimate Fourth Portal Lab.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Hypermedia presented an emerging evening of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic and discussion.
Curated by Gravesend artists Hypermedia.

The monthly meetup for computing enthusiasts to exchange ideas, kit and talk all things computing.

Soundings Part 1 | Afternoon: Minimal, ambient electronic music, sound and electronics.

Soundings Part 2 | An evening of free-form experimental electronics.

Daniel Merrill performed his New Album with support from Rev. Matt Simpkins

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.

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.

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.

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