Institutional archives often reinforce narratives rooted in established, centralised, and authoritarian perspectives. They reflect a categorisation system – of documents and accounts – formalised through power-backed discourses. While archives embody power, the act of counter-archiving aims to destabilise their projected authority. Who holds the right to speak, to be documented, to exist not solely as statistics but as lived human experiences? What influences, supports, and undermines archival strategies and models within our society? What is the meaning of authenticity, subjectivity, and hegemony in this context? Can oral history facilitate intertextuality and counter-archiving to re-evaluate the narratives entrenched within institutional structures?

Founded 37 years ago by trailblazing artists, esea contemporary's evolution mirrors a well-trodden path, transitioning from an independent, underground force in Manchester to a state-funded national portfolio organisation. It’s been a journey not without its fair share of setbacks, crises, and repositioning, reflecting the challenges inherent in the very diasporic communities we seek to amplify. Yet, each of these experiences has enriched our perspectives, providing nuanced insights into the coexistence of glory and shadow, the legacy and knowledge gained, and the dynamic interplay between archives and counter-archives.

Entering the second year of programming following the institute’s transformation, we find it opportune to activate our platform through the lens of archives and counter-archives in collaboration with our extensive network of collaborators and co-workers. Throughout our summer programme, from May to August, 2024, we will actively listen to, engage with, speak out about, write down, touch upon, and look into a diverse array of archival and counter-archival materials. This journey aims to highlight a multiplicity of perspectives while charting a course towards a more outward- and forward-looking framework. As we explore these materials, we remain attuned to the complexities of power dynamics, acknowledging the agency to navigate these exchanges with openness and respect. Through our collaboration with artists, curators, thinkers, scholars, and communities, we seek to foreground pluralistic narratives and empower individuals to shape their own histories.