TALK | London Icons: The Illuminated River

Sarah Gaventa Director of the Illuminated River Foundation will talk about the concept by US artist Leo Villareal (with British architects and London Society supporters Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands) to create a subtle kinetic LED light sculpture that will unify and light up the bridges of central London from Albert to Tower. Once complete, this will be the longest public art commission in the world at 2.5 miles in length.

The artwork will link the bridges along the Thames to one another visually and enhance and respect the architectural character and history of each structure. . It aims to help improve the quality of access to the bridges and help knit them into the wider public realm. This will be a completely free and publically accessible art project which forms part of the Mayor’s planned cultural strategy for the Thames and a renewed cultural and public realm focus on the river.

The project is an opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable environment for the Thames and its wildlife. By removing excessive light spill on the bridges and direct light into the river, it will help improve the natural environment for the flora and fauna of the Thames. The Illuminated River will also encourage debate about the role of light and light quality in London.