LUMIERE LONDON 2018, PERMANENT ARTWORK
Measuring the river’s health in real time.
Thames Pulse at the Mondrian Hotel was created by British artist Jason Bruges. It reflects the river’s health, in real time, on the iconic Sea Containers building on the South Bank.
Data from the Thames is read daily to monitor the condition of the river in central London and this informs the visualisations displayed on the river-facing facade.
The lighting project was devised the to help raise awareness about the condition of the Thames and to support Thames21 in its mission of protecting it and other London rivers, as well as making Londoners think about improving the river’s health in their daily lives.
The artwork displays one of three patterns based on whether the water quality is good, average or poor compared to the previous day’s data reading. Follow the Twitter Feed @ThamesPulse to find regular water quality updates during the festival, and there’s even a chance for you to get involved in volunteering activities, from Thames clean-ups to becoming a “citizen scientist” with the Thames River Watch programme – find out more at Thames21.
Jason Bruges, Founder and Creative Director of Jason Bruges Studio, said: “The data we take from the Thames tells a vital story of the life in the river, and Sea Containers is the perfect site-specific canvas on which to illustrate that story. We are delighted to be working with such innovative partners on this project, and to have the opportunity to create an installation so relevant to the river and those who interact with it. “
This installation is a permanent public artwork, so is still available to view even though Lumiere London 2018 has ended.