Two residents tend to vegetables in the communal allotments at Sceaux Housing Estate

Residents of a housing estate in south London are to electrify a discussion on climate and social change with pedal power.

Up to 12 bicycles will be used to generate 1,200 watts – enough electricity to power the microphones and amplifiers needed for the discussion.

Andrea Mason, an artist-in-residence at the nearby South London Gallery, has been working with tenants to form a think tank. Operating from a former shop on the estate, the group have already set up a successful communal allotment.

Members of the think tank are split into a range of interest groups covering Transport, Housing, Food and Growing, Entertainment and other areas of concern. They have used fun activities such as a one-minute bike disco and a freestyle marathon to raise awareness of the issues.

Trees Are For Climbing! - One of the points on the Manifesto for Change

In preparation for the event on Saturday September 6 2008, they have prepared a Manifesto for Change – a dossier of residents’ rights and responsibilities – which includes the memorable commandments: Grow Your Own Damn Vegetables and Trees Are For Climbing.

One point in the manifesto, All Washing Shall Be Hung Out, relates directly to the recent imposition of fines by Southward Council for hanging washing outdoors.

Residents will use protest signs, role-plays, megaphones and the ritualistic hanging of washing in trees to make their points heard. Invited guests, who include green activists, artists, council workers and educators, will address the question: can art affect social change?

Residents hang up wet washing outdoors in spite of the council ban

The South London Gallery, which is in part funded by Southwark Council, along with grants from the Big Lottery Fund and the Arts Council, works with local residents to explore contemporary art through play. As well as offering six artist residencies, the gallery organises free activites for families on the estate, three annual visits to Charlie Chaplin Adventure Playground and regular school holiday workshops.

Margot Heller, Director of the South London Gallery, said: “Residents attending Andrea Mason’s Fun Club have come up with great ideas for making simple improvements to the environment and have already put some of them into practice. The allotments have been really popular and more and more people want to be part of the project.”