Underline is a series of art and music commissions for the Victoria line which launched in July 2015. Artists Liam Gillick, Giles Round and Zineb Sedira, architectural collective Assemble and composer Matt Rogers were invited to develop projects in response to the characteristics of the Victoria line, its unique environment and its relationship to the social, historical and physical context of the city above.
An ambitious, artist-led programme of events and activities has been designed for all ages, offering a variety of opportunities to explore the ideas and inspiration behind Underline.
Devised and delivered in collaboration with leading cultural organisations near to the Victoria line, the events will draw upon the themes of each artist’s commission and explore connections between the Underground and the places it serves.
The 2016 progamme includes artists’ talks, family activities, an inspiring learning guide for teachers and young people; hands-on workshop series exploring materials and making; themed guided tours; a school workshop programme and exhibitions; environmental activities and a young people’s project.
Talks
A series of talks exploring the inspiration and ideas behind each artist’s project.
Tours
Themed walking tours exploring Underground design history and architecture, contemporary art and green environments.
Workshops – Better Than Machines
All ages welcome to a series of free, hands-on workshops to explore materials and develop new skills.
Family Days
Free, family-focused art sessions delivered with local partner venues, as part of the Family Arts Festival.
Learning
Opportunities and resources have been developed to encourage greater access to and enjoyment of the Underline commissions, as well highlighting the wealth of important cultural organisations, facilities and collections situated close to the Victoria line. Delivered with A New Direction and ReachOutRCA, activities are primarily designed for teachers, or Arts Award participants, but will also be of interest to anyone encountering the artworks or performances on the Tube and wanting to discover more.
Underline Learning Guide
Available from October 2015
This free, downloadable guide has been devised for primary and secondary teachers and young people who are working towards an Arts Award. It serves as an introduction to the five Underline commissions, alongside the architectural history and local context of the Victoria line. Drawing on the wealth of local expertise, collections, cultural venues and facilities, it includes a variety of classroom-activity suggestions for different subjects which can be used as a springboard for teachers to devise their own projects.
Underline Journeys: School Music Competition
Open to schools in Greater London, AOTU’s first music competition draws on the ideas explored for Underline by composer Matt Rogers. the winning composition wins a Masterclass with Rogers for their school.
From January 2016
Projects
Unique opportunities for artists and designers to collaborate with local young people and communities alongside London Underground staff to develop inspiring new work together.
Crafting the Line
Designer Jasleen Kaur will develop an ambitious project with six schools served by the Victoria line to creatively explore the cultural influences in their local areas and across London, leading to exhibitions at nearby Tube stations.
Object Exchange
Artist Ania Bas is collaborating with the Young Curators’ Group at William Morris Gallery, run by Waltham Forest Council, and the Youth Forum at Black Cultural Archives, Brixton. Participants will work with objects from both collections to consider and reinterpret histories, leading to a series of exhibitions and talks that connect the two ends of the Victoria line.
