Projections of the kinds of microorganisms we discovered in this inner city reach of the River Thames were projected along its southerly embankment, the site of the historic Lambeth Marshes..
Lambeth Floating Marsh Animation Loop from Loraine Leeson on Vimeo with Visual effects by Sean Lewis.
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In 1957 however the River Thames was declared biologically dead with water quality so poor that it could not sustain life. Since then the river has undergone a massive transformation, water quality has improved, and wildlife has returned. Nevertheless long stretches of concrete flood defense walls on the Thames are still preventing plant growth and the invertebrates that thrive in healthy riverbank habitats.
Below are images collected from the project.
Looking down the river towards Westminster.
On this page are short introductions to the Lambeth Floating Marsh project team.
Lambeth Floating Marsh projections from Loraine Leeson on Vimeo.
On the evening of 15th September 2015, Lambeth Floating Marsh was opened by Professor Geoff Petts, Vice Chancellor of University of Westminster. Loraine Leeson and Nithin Rai described the project, while Chris Coode, Deputy Chief Executive of the environmental organization Thames2, provided an overview of the challenges and opportunities for wildlife along the urban reaches of the Thames.
Science and Technology dean Professor Jane Lewis drew on her specialist knowledge of micro organism behavior to consider the benefits of new habitat, and concluded the event by reflecting on the value of the arts and sciences working together to bring these issues to public attention.
Professor Geoff Petts, Vice Chancellor of University of Westminster opened the event and spoke of his specialist interest in river ecology.
3.30 – 5pm Saturday 13th May 2017
at National Mills Weekend
For this new phase of the Active Energy project a floating water wheel is being placed in the River Lee close to an historic tidal mill. The outflow from the mill pool will turn the wheel, which will then drive an aerator to oxygenate the water and counteract the effects of pollution on the river’s fish and wildlife.
The process has been led by artist Loraine Leeson working with the Geezers, a seniors’ group based at AgeUK, and supported by the Lea Valley team of the Hydrocitizenship research initiative. Engineer Toby Borland designed and implemented the new wheel, while Thames 21’s Love the Lea has provided facilities, advice and further support. The wheel’s low-cost open source design will soon be viewable on the Active Energy web site so that others can take up the idea.
House Mill, Three Mill Lane, Bromley-by-Bow, London E3 3DU
info@housemill.org.uk 020 8980 4626
Nearest tube: Bromley by Bow
Active Energy has received the Best Arts and Green Energy award from Regen SW. The awards were announced at an event at the Bath Assembly Rooms on 29th November 2016. This is the 13th annual awards ceremony to honour innovation in the development of green energy and the first to recognise the arts as a key player in this process.
This current phase of the project is taking place as part of the Hydrocitizenship initiative.
