This current phase of the project is taking place as part of the Hydrocitizenship initiative.
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New Active Energy turbine planned for the Lower Lea
Launch of Lambeth Floating Marsh
On the evening of 15th September 2015 projections of river organisms were projected along the Thames embankment in Lambeth to draw attention to the importance of supporting biodiversity along urban rivers.
This arts/science collaboration between artist Loraine Leeson and scientist Nithin Rai includes new reed bed habitat for micro organisms and invertebrates in long basket structures attached to the hull of the Dutch barge Tamesis Dock. Find out more at www.lambethfloatingmarsh.org.uk.
Lambeth Floating Marsh launch event
Join us for drinks and projections at the Tamesis Dock to hear how a miniature reed bed can make a difference to biodiversity in the tidal Thames.
7.30pm Tuesday 15th September 2015
Tamesis Dock
Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
Celebrating the Active Energy turbine
On Tuesday 8th October a new design of tidal turbine was tested for the first time on the River Thames. Over fifty people including John Biggs, GLA member for City and East, attended an event to celebrating this highspot in the five-year Active Energy project, where a small-scale turbine was moored alongside the Tamesis Dock barge to test its functionality. It is the first turbine of this scale developed for slow moving tidal rivers and has potential for low-cost replication for developing nations overseas.
The turbine was developed and built by engineer Toby Borland in consultation with a group of older men attending the Geezers Club at an AgeUK centre in East London. Five years previously when artist Loraine Leeson, who is leading the project, asked the Geezers what technology could significantly improve their lives, they decided that this would be to use energy generated by the River Thames to power their community. Since that time they have been working with the interdisciplinary team that has gathered around this project to turn their dream into reality.
Active Energy Turbine installation October 2013 from Loraine Leeson on Vimeo.
The project has been supported throughout by the expertise and generosity of a host of individuals and organisations including the arts organisation SPACE; social scientist Professor Ann Light of Northumbria University; engineer Stephen Dodds, Emeritus Professor at University of East London and renowned for developing the control system for the European Space Commission; Tamesis Dock owner and scientist Dr. Nithin Rai; Jamie Hodge who provided expert help with marketing and publicity; and Fran Gallardo who provided graphic design. The turbine has now been taken away for improvements. Further funding is being raised to allow the work to continue.
Active Energy Turbine to launch opposite Parliament
Join us, London Assembly Member for City & East John Biggs and Shadow International Development Minister Rushanara Ali MP at 6.30pm on Tuesday 8th October for drinks and to witness the launch of the Active Energy underwater turbine on a Thames barge close to the Houses of Parliament.
Photomural at Tate Tanks
The Big Money is Moving In photomural produced by Peter Dunn and Loraine Leeson in the 1980’s as part of the Docklands Community Poster Project is part of the timeline in the new Tanks section at Tate Modern.
Big Money in Zurich
The Big Money is Moving In photomural featured in the V&A exhibition Postmodernism Style and Subversion 1970-1990, has now moved to the Swiss National Museum, Zurich.
Active Energy 2008-ongoing
Current project promoting citizen-led innovation led by Loraine Leeson in collaboration with The Geezers, a group of senior men in Bow East London, and engineer Toby Borland.
Join us, London Assembly Member for City & East John Biggs and Shadow International Development Minister Rushanara Ali MP at 6.30pm on Tuesday 8th October for drinks and to witness the launch of the Active Energy underwater turbine on a Thames barge close to the Houses of Parliament.
The Young Person’s Guide to East London 2008-12
A media project for young people that led to the production of online and newspaper guides for young visitors to the Olympic Host Boroughs
Visit the guide
We have created a static copy of the guide, click here to visit the online guide
The Young Person’s Guide to the Royal Docks 2005-07
Our first young person’s guide involving Royal Docks Community School, NewVIc Sixth Form College, Newham College of Further Education and University of East London
VOLCO 2002-09
A virtual planet in cyberspace created by more than a thousand children
Cascade 2002-08
Placements and mentoring around live projects in the community, involving children, young people and university graduates.
The Art of Change 1991-2002
The visual arts organisation The Art of Change developed out of the Docklands Community Poster Project, from which it learned key lessons. Importantly it built on methods of engagement giving voice to those with first-hand knowledge of issues, and a pro-active approach to creating alternatives rather than relying on protest in its cultural activism.
West meets East 1992
A project with teenage Bengali girls from Bow, East London exploring the theme of their experience of living in two cultures, resulting in a 16 x 12ft (4.8 x 3.6m) photo-mural and touring exhibition.
Celebrating the Difference 1993-94
Digital montage displayed as a 16 x 12ft (4.8 x 3.6m) photomural. Produced with pupils from George Green’s School in East London. Working with a group of culturally mixed teenagers, the project dealt with issues of culture and identity, commonality and difference in an inner city area fraught with racial tension.
The Catch 2002
Public artwork on Fanshawe Avenue/Longbridge Road roundabout Barking, London involving over three hundred children.
Where are you going, and what do you wish?
The old moon asked the three.
We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we…
Anon
Between Family Lines 1994
Four-projector tape-slide production and exhibition co-authored by Loraine Leeson and Karen Merkel that explores the importance of culture in the lives of five women from diverse backgrounds. The artists worked through the Women Against Fundamentalism group in London to reach women who had suffered under fundamentalism in their family lives.
Awakenings 1995-96
Awakenings, after Stanley Spencer’s Resurrection was a Tate Gallery commission exhibited at the Millbank site from 1995-96. Digital montage produced with pupils from George Green’s School in East London, displayed as a 14ft x 7.5ft (4.3m x 2.3m) cibachrome print.
Putting Ourselves in the Picture 1996
Alpona panels and beadwork hangings created with women and children from East London’s Bengali community, combining traditional skills with digital processes. The panels inspired design of the Jagonari Asian Women’s Centre cafe, where they were put on permanent display. Collaboration with Language 2000.