18/7/2011
Michael Landy
London Underground, London
Art on the Underground presents Acts of Kindness - a new art project for stations and trains on the Central line created by Michael Landy, one of the UK's leading artists, in collaboration with London Underground customers and staff. This project celebrates the ordinary acts of generosity and compassion that take place every day on the Tube.
Acts of Kindness, a New Project by Michael Landy Opens Today on
The Central Line as Part of Art on the Underground.
Art on the Underground presents Acts of Kindness – a new art project for
stations and trains on the Central line created by Michael Landy, one of the UK’s
leading artists, in collaboration with London Underground customers and staff.
This project celebrates the ordinary acts of generosity and compassion that take
place every day on the Tube. From the 19th July, the first Acts of Kindness
stories will debut at three Central Line stations: Liverpool Street, St. Paul’s and
Holborn. Holland Park, Hanger Lane and Leyton will follow.
These artworks were created from an invitation earlier this year where customers
and staff were asked to submit their stories of kindness to the artist via the TfL
website. Landy then selected stories he received and represented them as
poster artworks in stations and trains along the Central line. More stories will be
published at the Acts of Kindness web page. In the future, trains travelling on the
line will also carry the stories.
Michael Landy is interested in small, fleeting exchanges of kindness as much as
heroic acts. Commenting on the project, he said: “Sometimes we tend to assume
that you have to be superhuman to be kind, rather than just an ordinary person”.
Landy first began thinking about the idea behind Acts of Kindness in 2001
immediately after making his work Break Down. For Break Down he destroyed all
his possessions, from his birth certificate to his car. The experience of being left
with nothing helped him reflect on what we are aside from what we own, and on
the value of feeling part of a common humanity. “One of the questions that
motivated Break Down”, he says, “was what makes us human, more than just
being consumers.
“I guess I wanted to take that a step further. I was looking for the right situation to
explore what value kindness has, what it means, and what kind of exchange is
involved in giving someone a helping hand”.
He found the situation he was looking for in London Underground when he
witnessed two strangers, one trying to help the other. “I’m interested in what sort
of exchange happens between strangers in an act of kindness. It’s a gesture of
trust between two people. There’s a risk in that. They may just ignore you or take
it the wrong way.
“I’m fascinated by when you see people prepared to give up something for
somebody they don’t know. It’s a remarkable moment. It’s unexpected, life-
enhancing. I think sometimes it’s easier to remember those times when people
have been unkind. But once you start to notice kindness you see it happening
more and more”.
Munira Mirza, Cultural Advisor to the Mayor of London, said: “Art on the
Underground is one of the world's most innovative public art programmes,
showing works by leading artists and enlivening the environment of the Tube for
millions of passengers. This latest commission by the well-known British artist,
Michael Landy, helps capture the character of London Underground and the city
it serves.”
Tamsin Dillon, Head of Art on the Underground, said: “I’m sure Michael Landy’s
Acts of Kindness will provoke a range of very interesting responses and I’m
looking forward to seeing new stories of kindness appearing on the Central line.
“This project is Michael’s response to our invitation to make a new artwork for the
Underground and his intelligent approach has lead to a project with exciting
potential in this challenging context”.
Moira Sinclair, London Executive Director of Arts Council England, said:
“Many people view the Tube as a functionary part of living in the capital, as they
dash from place to place and bury their heads in a book or the newspaper. What
Michael Landy’s project will capture is the interactions between people on our
iconic transport system, reminding us all that we have and need connections and
celebrating both London and Londoners in the process.”
A version of the Acts of Kindness project will also be created in Sydney as the
24th Kaldor Public Art Project in partnership with Sydney’s Art and About festival.
The project will be presented throughout the streets of Sydney from 23
September until 23 October 2011. The Sydney call for stories from the public will
go live from 20 July. More information can be found at
www.kaldorartprojects.org.au/actsofkindness.
Meredith Nichols
Calum Sutton PR
Email: meredith@suttonpr.com
Phone: 020 7183 3577
From the 19th July
Central Line stations: Liverpool Street, St. Paul’s and Holborn
London Underground