Deptford X

Deptford X is a summer artist-run festival held in the streets of Deptford in London. For 10 days each year, the area becomes an open-air art gallery, where visitors explore artworks, stage performances, events, and interventions along an organised art trail. Deptford X began in 1998 and has evolved over the years as once-empty buildings have been developed; artists have responded to these changes by forming new collaborations and finding new sites to exhibit their work.

At the 2021 festival, David Cotterrell presented his new installation 'Ghost in the Machine', a holographic presentation of a parallel community that responded to the movement and gaze of passers-by. At a time of dislocation and separation, Cotterrell created a virtual stage from which his collaborators claimed a presence at Deptford X. Recreated as avatars, the actors and dancers from distant projects were generated, animated, and holographically projected to perform once more in response to the movement of passers-by.

An ‘in conversation’ event was held with curator Carolina Lio. This was live-streamed and recorded and can be viewed here.