Art on the Underground: Giles Round and Assemble commissioned to celebrate London Tube
London life is about to get infinitely better. This, as any city-dweller will attest, is because the tubes will run 24-hour services as of September – and the Victoria line in particular will get a new lease of life courtesy of Art on the Underground, Transport for London's contemporary art initiative.
Unveiled this week, their latest project, 'Underline', will include the network's first music commission and a joint venture with Turner Prize-nominated architectural collective Assemble.
The year-long celebration reflects the ethos of Walthamstow-born artist William Morris, who rightly believed that great art should be for everybody. Morris was a key influence on Frank Pick, managing director of London Underground in the early 20th century, who steered the graphic identity of the transport line we now know so well, instituting Edward Johnston's roundel, the Johnston font and Harry Beck's Tube Map, among other now-ubiquitous elements.
Drawing on the belief that good design leads to a better society, Giles Round's Design Work Leisure aims 'to intervene into the fabric of the Victoria line' by producing prototypes of functional objects that can be used on the tube. Tiles, clocks, lighting and sign posts are all expected to be included, as well as a limited edition Oyster card wallet which will be handed out at every Victoria line station.
In a similar vein of wanting to improve society through design and architecture, Assemble will tackle the entrance/exit at Seven Sisters – a location associated with anti-social behaviour issues. The group will take inspiration from subterranean geology to inform their above ground interventions.
Come autumn, short films by Liam Gillick (themselves shot across the tube network) will be screened on platforms and composer Matt Rogers will create a piece of music to be performed live in stations by members of the London Sinfonietta during spring 2016.
Closing the 'Underline' project will be Brixton-based artist Zineb Sedira, with a film and photographic series.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Discover Acqua di Parma’s new Mandarino di Sicilia fragrance at Milan Design Week 2024
Acqua di Parma and Fornice Objects bring the splendour of Sicilian mandarin fields to Milan to celebrate new fragrance Mandarino di Sicilia
By Simon Mills Published
-
First look at Samba Room, London’s innovative cocktail lounge packed with Brazilian energy
London’s Samba Room, an extension of SushiSamba, is a dynamic bar, lounge and private dining space designed by Fabled Studio
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Thom Browne shows how to make the perfect bed with theatrical performance at Milan Design Week 2024
American fashion designer Thom Browne makes his Milan Design Week debut with a new homeware collection created in collaboration with historic linen company Frette
By Scarlett Conlon Published
-
Will this UK company secure the future of classic cars?
Everrati, a specialist UK engineering firm hailing from the rolling hills of the Cotswolds in the UK, thinks it holds the key to classic car electrification
By Jonathan Bell Last updated
-
NAIC's architectural facility in England’s car-making heartland
Designed by Cullinan Studio, the centre sits at the entrance to the University of Warwick campus
By Guy Bird Last updated
-
Striking footbridge reconnects Tintagel Castle to the Cornish cliffs
Separated over 500 years ago by a dramatic gorge, Tintagel Castle has been reconnected to the mainland with a red steel footbridge. Paved with slate and quartzite tiles, it slices through the Cornish coastal landscape, unexpectedly – yet successfully – connecting history and legend to the present
By Giovanna Dunmall Last updated
-
Brutalist icon Preston Bus Station gets facelift by John Puttick Associates
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
The fastest electric bike on earth is a tech toy for thrill-seekers
By Simon Mills Last updated
-
Ocean Liners at the V&A Museum explores the history of transatlantic seafaring design
By Jonathan Bell Last updated
-
The Volvo Cross Country V90 puts driver engagement front and centre
By Rory FH Smith Last updated
-
Dynamic and practical? The Porsche Macan GTS deals with both hands
By Jonathan Bell Published