“..a place to reflect on past journeys and anticipated destinations. It is a space in motion, a place of limbo. It is a time and place to think and focus on the smaller details that make up a day, be it a person, an object or a thought…”
Art on the Underground is pleased to announce two new exhibitions at Dagenham Heathway and Upney Underground stations by students from Dagenham Park Community School and Barking Abbey School.
The starting point for this project was the waiting room, a place to reflect on past journeys and anticipated destinations. Beyond the waiting room, platforms, entrances, exits, benches and other nooks and crannies of the station have also been explored through this project.
In collaboration with Anna Boggon and Carl Stevenson, the students devised a series of artistic experiments to respond and react with these spaces using techniques of mapping, boundaries, movement, and memory.
LU customers will encounter the stunning results of these experiments in the form of images and words exhibited in waiting rooms, platforms and walkways as they move through the station or wait as they contemplate their journey ahead.
The Waiting Room is a pilot project commissioned by Art on the Underground. Art on the Underground has worked with TfL’s Crime and Disorder Unit to look at new ways of engaging young people and raising their awareness and understanding of stations in the Barking and Dagenham area. The Waiting Room has forged new relationships between LU staff and young people in Barking and Dagenham by providing the opportunity to work with artists to transform their local station environment.
About the Crime & Disorder Partnership Unit
The Crime & Disorder Partnership Unit works to reduce anti-social behaviour and criminal activity on the transport system. The unit advises on measures to design out crime, assists with enforcement issues and works with schools and other groups for young people on diversionary and educational schemes.
About the artists
Dagenham Park Community School participants were:
Lisa Cheesman, Alice Martin, Charlie Mountney, Felix Muigai, Kerry Passfield, and Sara Teixeira.
With thanks to Head of Art, Maggy Farrow.
Barking Abbey School participants were: Jane Bellas, David Budinas, Keighley Cottage, Tayma Escoffery, Kirsty Guiver, Hasan Mehmet, Joe Newman, Kyle Paxton, Georgia Ryan, Ricky Walsh, Tyrone Shillingford. With thanks to Head of Art, Kiran Gill and Ruth Harris.
Anna Boggon’s practice includes sculpture, video and site specific installation. Each artwork is investigative in its approach, often playful, and at times humorous. The process involves a weaving of research and an ongoing curiosity relating to the adaptability of, objects and subject matter, there is often an interplay between fact and fiction.
Anna has exhibited internationally and was awarded the British Council Artists Link Residency in China 2005-2006.
Carl Stevenson is a filmmaker. He explores social, personal and the emotional space, using pseudo scientific and forensic methodologies to reveal invisible connections and possibilities.
Carl has shown work in festival and on television worldwide, winning Best British Film at the London International Animation Festival in 2004. His latest film was shown as part of Channel 4’s dance film season. He recently worked with children to create “air castles” at the South London Gallery, winning the Chrisi Bailey National Children’s Media Arts Award.
