In Deptford

In the hope of reminding people about Deptford’s almost forgotten tidal creek, a solar powered light installation is being installed as a typographic beacon.

It is a commission brought to bear by the Creekside Charette, an urban design scheme run by Creative Process and the London Development Agency, which in 2008 collectively set about making a masterplan to help ensure the dock – which houses numerous creative businesses –  is redeveloped sensitively.

Artist Shona Kitchen with Dominic Robson has designed the piece and the project has been led by Ben Eastop for Creative Process.

The piece is not an allegory for cognitive imbalance or a Play Your Cards Right prop, but rather an installation which changes slowly with the ebb and flow of the tide.

Visitors are encouraged to come back to the ever-changing work and consider the significance of its context and the landscape.

According to Eastop the piece, ‘follows the height of the tide in the creek based on the tide timetable, mimicking its movement – with each light coming on slowly. It stays high for an hour and low for four hours, because the creek is at low water for longer.’

Deptford luminaries Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh would have been most impressed.

The piece will be officially opened on Monday by Joan Ruddock MP between 7.30-9.30pm,  on the Faircham Trading Estate, 8-12 Creekside, Deptford, London SE8.  It will stay there for up to five years.