London-based artist and director Esther Johnson talks about her project Alone Together: The Social Life of Benches:

“The film looks at how individuals and groups use public and liminal spaces. Drawing on a series of oral testimonies and composed portraits, we wanted to illuminate the thoughts and memories of frequent users of two distinctive public London locations. Revolving around the micro-space of the humble bench, the film incorporates contributions from a diverse range of visitors; this part focuses on the Nepali community of Woolwich.

“Contributor testimonies highlight themes such as the psychological feeling of being in a space, the rhythm and flow of visitors to a place, and the importance of free access to communal outdoor space. The film acts like a stranger who joins you to 'watch the world go by', and to break the ice by starting a conversation with a fellow bench user.” 

Read more about Esther Johnson's project Alone Together: The Social Life of Benches here.