Call for artists to light up 17 River Thames bridges now open
The Mayor is calling on the world’s artists, designers and engineers to come up with ideas to create a permanent light art installation across 17 bridges along the River Thames between Albert Bridge in Chelsea and Tower Bridge.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
This is a really exciting opportunity to create a new, permanent light art installation across the capital’s historic bridges through the heart of London. It will throw a spotlight on the river and its banks – a dazzling, free outdoor art gallery for Londoners and all of our visitors to enjoy, and reminding the world that London continues to be the global leader in innovation, sustainability and artistic creativity.
The Mayor has made protecting and promoting London’s position as a capital of culture one of his priorities. The Illuminated River will be mostly funded by private sources and will encourage new investment, increase use of the river, bridges and riverbanks at night and strengthen partnerships across the public realm between the public and private sector landlords.
It will encourage the expansion of a vibrant night-time economy, something the Mayor is supporting through plans to appoint a Night Czar, to help protect London’s live music venues, clubs and pubs, and the introduction of a 24-hour weekend Tube service on key lines from August.
The shortlisted schemes will be shown in a public exhibition at the end of the year, after which a winner will be announced.
For more information visit www.illuminatedriver.london