DRIFT: Contemporary, Creative, Innovative and on the Thames

In the autumn of 2008, strange creatures were spotted in the river and buoys burst into life. A sinking ship sailed in a straight line and the ghost of Blackfriars bridge haunted its columns. Many witnessed these, and other events as contemporary art installations took on the waterside as part of London’s first biannual contemporary art exhibition on the Thames: DRIFT.

          
Feast of Skulls by Andy Harper         Classification Pending by Craig Walsh                 
 

Four women and a big idea: the best of contemporary art on our river.

Illuminate Productions is the non-profit organisation that made DRIFT, and the fantastical events described above, happen. This grassroots team of professional women has been in the business of presenting the work of emerging and established contemporary artists to a diverse audience in unusual, challenging, but accessible environments for years now.

The goal is to stoke fresh discussion and enthusiasm about contemporary art for everyone, from children to pensioners. As a community non-profit the organisation is dedicated to giving back: running a range of public educational and volunteer programmes alongside the shows themselves, which gives participants a chance to create their own artworks. 

Now Illuminate is getting ready for the next edition of DRIFT. This time they are planning an even bigger show running from Westminster Bridge to Canary Wharf featuring works by such notable artists as Jaume Plensa and Julius Popp, as well as community education programmes, a film-boat, pop-up gigs, and the ever-popular boat trips. to Londoners from every walk of life. There will no doubt be a few surprises too.

'love-love' by Julian Berthier, DRIFT 08: the boat sailed as the economy wavered
 

London-centric, Ecology Focused, Drift Themed

So what is it exactly? DRIFT 10 is a series of strategically placed, site-specific artworks in, alongside, and over the River Thames in central London. It makes the most of one of the best-known rivers in the world to generate a dramatic visual landscape. The aim is to inspire and fascinate community, national and global audience. Last time international press attention from as far afield as Korea and China was generated, so why not do it again?

The river, as the locals know, is a prime public location, so the artwork will be accessible to all sections of the community and the millions of visitors to the area; moreover the attraction is sure to generate even greater foot-traffic for local businesses, which in the current economic climate is something we all like to see.

Cutting Edge

The works are especially commissioned for each area, and the artists are carefully selected for their innovative use of diverse mediums such as sculpture, installation, painting, sound, and film, for their relation to the exhibition’s subject matter, their ongoing commitment to innovative art practice, and their willingness to expansively adapt to the unique community and environment.

Making it happen

DRIFT has a high profile and dynamic advisory board includes the leading social entrepreneur Nigel Kershaw OBE, Lord and Lady Burlington, and celebrated artists Fiona Banner and Mariele Neudecker. DRIFT is endorsed by the office of the Mayor of London, British Waterways, London Councils, Port of London.

DRIFT is now seeking cooperation and funding support from local businesses to make this remarkable show a reality. Get involved and make it your event for your river!

The staff of Illuminate Productions welcomes your comments and questions.

Please email: d_defeo@illuminateproductions.co.uk with any questions, comments or for more information. She’d love to hear from you!