Imran Perretta: the destructors

Chisenhale Gallery presents the destructors, a film commission and solo exhibition by London-based artist Imran Perretta.

the destructors is shot on location at the Shadwell Centre, in Tower Hamlets, east London. Reflecting on Perretta’s experience as a young man of Bangladeshi heritage, the work reconsiders the figure of alienated male youth to explore the complexities of “coming of age” for young Muslim men living in the UK.

The film borrows its title from Graham Greene’s 1954 short story The Destructors. Set in post-war London, still recovering from the Blitz, Greene’s story follows a gang of youths who plot to tear down an old man’s house. Perretta’s the destructors seeks to reflect on this narrative of post-war disaffection through the period following 9/11, a time characterised by state-sponsored Islamophobia and the perpetual War on Terror.

Presented across two screens, the destructors centres on a group of young men as they navigate the social pressures of growing up in a society that has come to view them as both a physical and ideological threat. Through immersive, surround sound and staged cinematic imagery, the characters reflect on their lives and experiences through a series of monologues.

Through the work, Perretta explores an uncomfortable nexus between austerity and the War on Terror, two parallel policies which have increased the economic and social marginalisation of Britain’s Muslim communities, while seeking out hope in collective experience and shared narratives.

the destructors is 23 minutes and 35 seconds long and is screened every 25 minutes from 12pm. The last screening of the day starts at 5:25pm. 

Exhibition Events: 
As part of the commissioning process, a programme of talks and events has been devised in collaboration with Imran Perretta.

Early morning viewing 
Friday, January 24, 9–10:30am
An early morning viewing of Imran Perretta’s exhibition with an introduction to the work by Ese Onojeruo, Assistant Curator: Engagement. Coffee and cakes are generously provided by the East End Women’s Institute.

Imran Perretta in conversation with Jemma Desai 
Thursday, February 6, 7pm
Imran Perretta is joined in conversation with writer, researcher and programmer Jemma Desai to discuss his new commission. This event is programmed in association with First Thursdays when galleries across east London stay open until 9pm on the first Thursday of the month.

Curator’s tour
Thursday, March 5, 7pm
Amy Jones, Assistant Curator: Commissions, introduces Imran Perretta’s new commission. This event is programmed in association with First Thursdays when galleries across east London stay open until 9pm on the first Thursday of the month.

Panel discussion 
Saturday, March 7, 2pm
A panel discussion bringing together representatives from three organisations working with Muslim communities through arts, media and advocacy projects. Speakers include: Rizwan Hussain, Director of Jawaab; Nurull Islam, Director of the Mile End Community Project; and Zeinab Saleh and Lamisa Khan, founders of Muslim Sisterhood.

Closing event at SET Dalston 
Friday, March 13, 8:30pm
27A Dalston Lane, London, E8 3DF
Ticketed event
An evening of music devised by Imran Perretta hosted offsite at SET Dalston. 

All events are free to attend unless otherwise stated, but booking is strongly advised. Please visit chisenhale.eventbrite.co.uk 

Biography
Imran Perretta lives and works in London, UK. Recent solo and group exhibitions include: the destructors, Spike Island, Bristol; All His Ghosts Must Do My Bidding, Wysing Arts Centre, Cambridge (both 2019); 15 Days, Jerwood Space, London, as a recipient of the Jerwood/FVU Awards 2018; Mene Mene Tekel Parsin, Wysing Arts Centre, Cambridge (2017); and it wasn’t a crash, in the usual sense, Arcadia Missa, London (2016). Perretta was selected for Bloomberg New Contemporaries (2014-15) and nominated for the 2019 Film London Jarman Award.

the destructors is produced by Chisenhale Gallery and Spike Island, Bristol, and commissioned by Chisenhale Gallery; Spike Island; the Whitworth, The University of Manchester; and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead.

Imran Perretta’s commission is supported by Outset Contemporary Art Fund.

Lead Exhibition Supporter: Shane Akeroyd. The exhibition is produced with support from the Chisenhale Gallery Commissions Fund. With additional support from the Imran Perretta Supporters’ Circle.

Chisenhale Gallery’s Talks and Events Programme 2020 is supported by Brian Boylan and forms part of Chisenhale Gallery’s Engagement Programme. 

Chisenhale Gallery
Registered charity number 102617