Culture Meets Creativity: Spreading Joy and Peace in the City of London
Commissioned by Culture Mile, In/Visible Talks 2018 Speaker, Morag Myerscough and her long-time collaborator, Luke Morgan, recently unveiled a two-part installation that brings a vivid splash of color to the ancient heart of London’s Financial District. Unveiled in July of 2017, JOY & PEACE is a self-proclaimed “response to the fractious times we are all living in.”
“We felt strongly that we wanted to make a piece of work that was full of positivity, hope, strength and the power to bring people together with joy in the heart of London for Culture Mile,” say Myerscough and Morgan.
The installations feature hand-painted and vibrant geometric styles created by Myerscough and her team – whose work frequently incorporates patterns created in workshops with local schools. Both pieces also utilize a set of six symbols: the Heart, representing love; the Globe, representing society; the Sun, representing joy; the Eye, representing wide open; the Star, representing energy; and the Flower, representing peace.
Spreading The Love
Spanning a total of 315 feet, the first half of the installation – titled JOY – begins at the opening of a Parking Garage and meanders through the commercial district, connecting with PEACE, which is set in a historic garden.
“Creating a place for people to gather, relax and socialize with the pavilion being the centre piece and stage for the performances and activities which have never been seen in this garden before.”
JOY & PEACE will be open to the public till the end of October as part of London’s new ‘Culture Mile,’ an initiative backed by the City of London Corporation. Where culture meets creativity, Culture Mile brings together local design and culture institutions like the Barbican, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of London to promote the City as a destination for culture and creativity.