2015 has been a busy year for us at the Futurecity so we wanted to take a minute to reflect on some of the wonderful projects that have come to life this year.
January: Alison Crowther’s Big Table installed at Kew Bridge
Big Table is a large hand carved sculpture by artist Alison Crowther. It was commissioned by Futurecity, on behalf of St James, for the residents of Kew Bridge West.
February: Inferno: McQueen at the Gallery at Foyles
An intimate photographic portrait of McQueen’s seminal show ‘Dante’, Autumn/Winter 1996/97 announced for the Gallery at Foyles
March: 30 Bird and Public Works Selected for MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Artist-In-Residence
The LMB is one of the world’s leading research institutes, whose scientists are studying biology on a tiny scale to understand fundamental biological processes and diseases. With the aim to inspire new perspectives and understanding of LMB’s research the residency will engage with LMB scientists, staff, and the general public over a period of 12 months.
April: Bow Arts to open 90 affordable artists studios in Wapping
The new partnership between Bow Arts and St George plc was borne out of recommendations made by Futurecity within the Cultural & Placemaking Strategy document developed for St George, which was submitted as part of the London Dock planning application.
May: #FuturecitySydney
Futurecity Senior Curator Sarah Carrington is now based in Sydney, and is discovering a keen appetite for cultural placemaking and broader engagement with design process and masterplanning with artist engagement from the outset. Our Founder Mark Davy has been invited to speak at a number of high-profile events in Sydney and so we took the opportunity to explore the possibility of becoming involved in this dynamic moment of change in the city.
June: Three Public Artworks Commissioned for St James’s Market
An embedded artwork designed by David Thorpe for the Regent Street St James’s block of the redevelopment will mark the artist’s first permanent public art installation. Both Studio Weave and Studio Swine’s work seeks to enliven the new public spaces created as part of the project.
July: Prestigious artist shortlist revealed for new public artwork in Berewood
Futurecity has been appointed to curate and manage the project in consultation with a local Arts Advisory Panel. The artists that have been invited to submit proposals are Marcus Coates, Heather and Ivan Morison, Lone Twin and Wayward Plants.
August: Futurecity appointed to deliver cultural vision for Keybridge House
Futurecity have been appointed to deliver a cultural vision Mount Anvil’s Keybridge House development, a new mixed-use scheme in Nine Elms.
September: Dynamic New Sculpture from Tobias Putrih Launched at South Bank Tower
A unique site specific sculpture by internationally-renowned artist Tobias Putrih has been unveiled, forming the cultural centrepiece installation at South Bank Tower, the iconic new 41-storey riverside mixed-use development by independent real estate firm CIT.
October: Design Competition Launched for Albert Embankment
Developer St James, has joined forces with the Royal College of Art to launch a competition that will award a team of postgraduate students a design commission for the innovative new public realm being created in the regeneration of Albert Embankment. Curated by Futurecity, it aims to inspire concepts for an innovative, future-facing design series that will support a range of public uses including socialising, working, dining and play.
November: New development celebrates its nautical heritage through public art
Winchester City Council, Havant Borough Council and Grainger PLC selected London-based art, landscape and architecture practice ‘Wayward’ to deliver ‘Grow, Grow, Grow Your Boat’, a living sculpture of large growing oaks shaped by a sculptural steel frame to create a one-to-one scale ship’s hull, based on HMS Victory.
December: The New Art of Making at The Gallery at Foyles
The New Art of Making, a free exhibition which explores digital craftsmanship, curated by Futurecity in partnership with Price & Myers’ Geometrics, will open in The Gallery at Foyles, London until 7 February 2016.
