Tape Letters is an oral history project that highlights the little-known cultural practice within the British-Pakistani community of recording and sending voice messages on cassette tape between the 1960s-1980s.
Drawing directly both from first-hand interviews and from the informal and intimate conversations on the cassettes themselves, the project seeks to unearth, archive and re/present a portrait of this method of communication, as practised mainly by Pothwari-speaking members of the British-Pakistani community, commenting on their experiences of migration and identity, the unorthodox use of cassette tape technology, and language.
Modus Arts have produced multiple project outputs including in-person exhibitions, a WebXR exhibition, a film, a photography series, a radio series, written publications, and a set of learning resources.
The surviving cassettes are stored in the BishopsGate Institute, London. Modus Arts is a Tottenham based sonic arts company founded by Wajid Yaseen, and National Portfolio Organisation with Arts Council England.
- Podcast - Listen to cassette tape stories and interviews about migration, identity and language
- Online exhibition - A Virtual Reality exhibition where you can see images, film and listen to stories from the Tape Letters project
- Learning resources for teachers - coming soon
- App - Read and listen to Tape Letters stories on your phone or tablet
This project is accessible online throughout South Asian Heritage Month and beyond.
Price
Free Event
Contact
Date
31 August 2024
Additional date and time information
Accessible online