Art & Culture
The Line announces the launch of a film with former-Olympian Christine Ohuruogu MBE
Today our partners 'The Line' have launched their latest addition to the plethora of art installations, projects and events organised, which illuminate the inspiring landscape of this public art walk. 'The Line' follows the line of the Greenwich Meridian along a route which passes through three of the most diverse boroughs in the UK (Newham, Tower Hamlets and Greenwich) connecting Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2.
To encourage access to The Line and to support community recovery, The Line is delighted to announce the launch of its first film to highlight the health and wellbeing benefits of the project. The 1min30 film captures Ohuruogu running and walking The Line, and talking about the importance of taking care of yourself from the inside and out.
Newham is The Line's principal host borough, and Covid-19 has had a real impact on residents – Newham had 144 deaths per 100,000 compared with the national average of 36 and has the highest number of furloughed workers of any local authority in the UK, with 50,000 jobs at risk.
The Line is situated within a dense urban context; however, it is a green corridor along the waterways, drawing people away from heavily trafficked roads providing a space to connect with a continually shifting natural habitat. Within Newham, more than 50% of households in 9 out of 10 wards have deficient access to nature. It has been noted that access to water and waterways can make people happier and healthier.
I hope that the film will be instrumental in increasing access to The Line and improving the health and wellbeing for everybody in Newham who is local to it
Christine Ohuruogu MBE
The Line's exhibition programme provides the public with an opportunity to explore art, nature and heritage for free. Ohuruogu highlights that art and connecting with nature can contribute towards positive mental health and states that communities local to The Line have a free wellness opportunity on their doorstep. The Line is free, open and accessible to all and the film will be distributed to community partners, local councils and collaborators and will be screened in public spaces locally.
The film is directed and edited by Adam Kaleta. It has been funded by the London Community Response Fund administered by City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation's charity funder. Drone footage is courtesy of The Line's Founding Patron and Insurance Ambassador Liberty Specialty Markets.
Christine Ohuruogu MBE, said "It's a joy to support The Line by being a part of the film, especially as someone who was born and raised in Newham. It's great that health and wellbeing are being given such an important focus at a time like this and I hope that the film will be instrumental in increasing access to The Line and improving the health and wellbeing for everybody in Newham who is local to it."
Megan Piper, Director of The Line, said, "Lockdown has highlighted the importance of outdoor space, and we want to ensure that local people access The Line and know that it's theirs to explore. As a local resident who was born and grew up in Newham, Christine's support of The Line and her appreciation of its value is critical".
Dhruv Patel, Chairman of the City of London Corporation's City Bridge Trust Committee, said, "This video, funded thanks to the generosity of all the donors to the London Community Response Fund, is a fantastic way of inspiring people to get out and get active while enjoying some first-class outdoor art – something that is needed more than ever as we emerge from lockdown."
Megan Piper established the Line, and the late regeneration expert Clive Dutton OBE, whose life's work was rooted in a commitment to improving the quality of life for people in urban environments and to place art and culture at the heart of regeneration.
The Line currently features monumental sculptures by eleven artists, including the recently installed Thomas J Price Reaching Out, which joins Joanna Rajkowska's The Hatchling and Abigail Fallis' DNA DL90 on the River Lea and Antony Gormley's Quantum Cloud and Gary Hume's Liberty Grip at Greenwich Peninsula. Other new additions for 2020 include the installation of Laura Ford's Bird Boy at Royal Victoria Dock in the Royal Docks and the extension of the route through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to encompass the UK's largest sculpture, Anish Kapoor's ArcelorMittal Orbit, and Carsten Höller's The Slide.
Groundbreakers
The Groundbreakers Cultural Circle is a vital and exciting network of key stakeholders and visionaries who are transforming the future of East London by investing in The Line.
‘The Line is a pioneering project that has helped establish the Royal Docks as one of London’s newest and most exciting cultural destinations.’
Daniel Bridge, Programme Director, Royal Docks Team
Founding members include: AEG Europe and Crosstree Real Estate Partners, Canary Wharf Group and the Royal Docks Team. Please contact The Line to find out more.
