'Piped Poetry'
by Bettina Furnee
Public Art Strategy for Tachbrook Triangle
Millbank Primary School, Westminster, London,
2006 - 2008
CLIENT:Barratt Homes
PARTNERS:
Assael Architects
Futurecity have curated this site-specific text based work by artist Bettina Furnee at Millbank Primary School in Pimlico, London. Appointed by Barratt Home to respond to their Section 106 Planning requirements for public art on their nearby Tachbrook Triangle, Futurecity developed the off-site commission as there was no suitable site for a permanent work on the development itself.
Futurecity commissioned Bettina to collaborate with poet Paul Lyalls and river archaeologists from the Thames Explorer Trust to make a work in response to the 'hidden' Tachbrook stream which runs beneath the Tachbrook site. Developing a poem entitled 'Murky Thames' with children from the school, Bettina has stenciled texts across every element of the Victorian school's water system, including pipes, washbasins, kitchen sinks and water storage tanks, encompassing more than 50 sites. The work has culminated in a limited edition artist's book which documents the work and brings together the full poem.
Futurecity commissioned Bettina to collaborate with poet Paul Lyalls and river archaeologists from the Thames Explorer Trust to make a work in response to the 'hidden' Tachbrook stream which runs beneath the Tachbrook site. Developing a poem entitled 'Murky Thames' with children from the school, Bettina has stenciled texts across every element of the Victorian school's water system, including pipes, washbasins, kitchen sinks and water storage tanks, encompassing more than 50 sites. The work has culminated in a limited edition artist's book which documents the work and brings together the full poem.