Greenwich Peninsula has commissioned artist Liz West to create Hundreds and Thousands for the Tide in 2021. The artwork wraps 700m of the walkway’s glass balustrades, creating a ribbon of undulating colour. The installation contemplates the subtle nuances of light in this unique riverside location as we transition from Spring to Summer. This work is part of an ongoing exploration of colour and scale, using the Tide as an evolving platform. Greenwich Peninsula is focussed on creating engaging transitional spaces and outdoor experiences for visitors and residential communities of the Peninsula.

This new work is part of West’s ongoing series of spatial light works based on her research into wellbeing, human colour perception and light fields, transforming architectural spaces and public environments, creating vivid environments that mix luminous colour and radiant light.

“I like to provoke a heightened sensory awareness in the viewer by exploring how sensory phenomena can invoke psychological and physical responses that tap into our own deeply entrenched relationships to colour.” – Liz West

For West, Hundreds and Thousands pays homage to The Tide’s geography and proximity to the Greenwich meridian line by behaving as a sundial, therefore, allowing people to see the changing light depending on the time of day and season. The multiple reflective glass surfaces adorned with jewel-like multicolours will reflect people and the surroundings, encouraging and promoting movement around The Tide and making a work that feels like it ‘belongs’.

“The experience of seeing my work as you move along and around The Tide gives visitors/pedestrians a kaleidoscopic and rich visual experience that will hopefully trigger feelings of wellbeing and joy.”

The architecture and design of The Tide (particularly the scale and details of structure), as well as how the space is used by the public, has influenced the intricate design to allow people a fluid and ever-changing experience of the work. Selected colours and repeated visuals have been used to augment and enhance the space and visitor experience.

This site-specific work aims to create a new space for exploration and discovery. It depicts and symbolises a physical and metaphorical meeting point of both colours and people. Covering all the glass panels of The Tide, this immersive installation helps join together the different paths across the space. The luminous multicoloured stripes collectively become a rhythmic cacophony of colours, creating a mesmerising mass when viewed from all angles. The work appears to change and morph as you journey around the space. The work encourages you to follow the work around the space, with different perspectives offering intriguing colourways and kaleidoscopic visuals.

The colour palette aims to encourage positive associations and memories of colour. West makes these colour choices instinctively and intuitively, experimenting in colour mixing to focus on the interaction of colours as well as carefully composing a spatial balance between geometric elements and forms.

Kaia Charles, Cultural Curator at Greenwich Peninsula commented “We are delighted to have such a joyous piece as part of our series of colourful commissions for The Tide and we hope people will feel uplifted by the bold and bright experience.”

Associated events:

To celebrate Hundreds and Thousands, will be a series of collaborative artistic responses exploring the human colour experience.

Kitty Joseph X Liz West

29 May 3pm and 5pm

British textile and fashion designer Kitty Joseph is curating an inclusive fashion event which responds to the colour, optimism and scale of Liz West’s new installation on The Tide.

A diverse cast will populate the riverside section of the Tide in a joyful and prismatic display, echoing the unique sequences of colour in Liz West’s installation. The result will be a visual celebration of infinite harmonic possibility, both in colour and community.

Libertas

30 May 1pm, 3pm and 5pm

Choreographed by Laura Amy White

Dance company Law of Motion perform live on The Tide in a physical exploration of Hundreds and Thousands. Capturing the joyful essence of the work through the freedom of movement and dance.

Biography 

Liz West (b. 1985) is a British artist who graduated from Glasgow School of Art and whose body of work encompasses site-specific installations, sculpture, and wall-based artwork. Liz West has been commissioned worldwide by institutions and organisations including Natural History Museum, National Trust, National Science and Media Museum, London Design Festival, Natural England, Allied London, Grosvenor, British Land, Salford University, Leftcoast, Allenheads Contemporary Arts and Bristol Biennial. West’s work has been included in exhibitions with St Albans Museum + Gallery, University of Hertfordshire, Chester Cathedral, Compton Verney, Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces, Cornerhouse, Brunel University, Bury Art Museum & Sculpture Centre, UK Young Artists and Royal British Society of Sculptors in the UK, as well as internationally in Italy, Dubai, France, Germany, Spain, India and USA.