The originator of the lightbox project

Mark Haywood is an artist living and working in the Leathermarket area of London Bridge. As an artist he is committed to using his skills and ideas to improve the environment. Like other local residents he was concerned that Guy Street Park was in need of improvement and was delighted to hear that the park was going to be redeveloped. In the summer 2001 he approached the Friends of Guy Street Park (FOGSP) with a public art proposal that would improve the appearance of the park and involve and benefit the whole community.

Mark ran five workshops with 24 pupils from Snowsfields Primary School's year six. The workshops took place during the spring term, based on ideas discussed with Snowsfields arts co-ordinator Sara Duarte and teacher Lynn Sear. Many of the 24 pupils had been taught together since they were 5 years old, but after the summer would be split up to go to several new schools across Southwark. The pupils looked at the anticipation and anxiety that these changes may have and related them to the coming of spring, a time of rejuvenation and growth.

Location

The park is located in a very diverse and mixed area and is surrounded by social housing, 200 metres from Guys Hospital. The project location is on the site of Snowsfield NCPÕs south wall adjacent to Guy Street Park in Northwest Bermondsey in the London borough of Southwark, London SE1.

The Light boxes

The boundary between Snowsfield NCP and Guy Street Park is an eyesore. The 24-hour strip lighting in the NCP is unsightly and distracts from the potential beauty of the park. The lightbox project has been devised to harmonise this built and natural environment and uses existing levels of light in an attractive and controlled way. Five light boxes similar to advertising billboards (approx. 3m by 1.8m) display artwork commissioned in consultation with the local community. The light boxes have been installed on two floors of Snowsfield NCP car park, overlooking Guy Street Park.
Aims
  • Improve the boundary between Guy Street Park and the adjacent NCP multi-storey car park.
  • Create an artwork that is relevant to the local community and surrounding area.
  • Harmonise the natural environment of the park with the built environment of the car park.
  • Make people feel safe walking through the park with additional lighting.
  • Provide an alternative art venue where the local community can have an input
General projects criteria

All commissioned projects must fulfil the overall criteria of the Light box project, which are:

  • Encourage the understanding and appreciation of the arts.
  • Show the relevance and value of art in an every day setting.
  • Enhance the environment.
  • Help to create civic pride.
  • To give community value.
  • To be innovate and inspirational.
  • To have relevance to the area and local community.