Artist Morag Myerscough has unveiled an aerial art installation running the length of London’s Oxford Street to encourage action on the transition to a low carbon future.
Made of recycled plastic from marine environments, the artwork consists of 105 vast, 4-metre flags emblazoned with the words TIME FOR CLEAN POWER, which span the entire length of Oxford Street from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road.
“My work is synonymous with bold colours and powerful positive messaging. It is so wonderful to see Europe’s busiest street filled with colour and hope,” said Morag Myerscough.
“With this work I wanted to put out an optimistic approach towards our future, if we work together we can help make the changes we need to happen. The oranges, greens and blues represent the sun, sea and air that we need to power ourselves to a renewable future.”
The installation was designed to support the Clean Power campaign – an initiative that uses art as a catalyst to drive change and aims to educate and empower individuals and businesses to create a positive environmental impact.
Members of the public can support the Clean Power campaign by purchasing a digital artwork created by Myerscough for £3. Through the digital artwork, the campaign will fund the installation of new community rooftop solar energy in central London alongside the planting of a new woodland in Greater London. It will then support different initiatives in the cities it visits over the coming months.
“This campaign gives the British public a way to get actively engaged in the fight against climate change. Morag is the perfect artist to partner with,” commented Oliver Wayman from Clean Power. “Her bright, bold art on the flags will excite and inspire people to make positive environmental choices and sustain the planet that we love.”
The campaign is not only aimed at the public – it is also encouraging businesses to get involved through the Big Clean Switch, which is able to advise them on the switch to renewable energy and help to join them up with suppliers whose environmental credentials and customer service have been thoroughly checked.
“We are delighted to partner with Clean Power and Morag to launch the first ever environmental campaign above Oxford Street,” said Dee Corsi, COO of the New West End company. “The Clean Power campaign encapsulates the work that we as a District need to deliver to ensure that we achieve our overall ambition for the West End to be the leading global destination for sustainable retail, leisure, dining and the built environment”
The installation is accompanied by a Clean Power sculptural work and animated graphic artwork, which will debut on September 1st on the famous Piccadilly Circus lights. Once the artwork has made its debut in London’s West End, the campaign will embark on a world tour that will see it visit Japan, The US, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.
Hear a podcast of Morag Myerscough in conversation with AT Editor Isabel Allen.
Morag Myerscough in conversation with Isabel Allen
Connecting with communities, creating projects that bring as much happiness as a cup of tea in the morning or a big bunch of flowers, making architecture without architects and refusing to be defined by the education that you have.
Source: Architecture Today