“Did you see that?” I ask pointing towards the Bazalgette drawings Mural. This isn’t just any artwork. It’s a tribute to an engineering marvel. We are standing before a celebration of Victorian innovation. This installation acknowledges the impact of Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s legacy. It’s a reflection on London’s political structure.
The Bazalgette drawings Mural commemorates Bazalgette’s heroic stance. It highlights his engineering feat. It also celebrates the creation of the Victoria Embankment. This mural transforms a massive project into an inclusive endeavor. The underlying concept is accessibility for all.
The artist, Nathan Coley, considered Bazalgette’s impact. Coley’s proposal narrates the journey of the River Fleet. It runs down from Hampstead. The landscape treatment represents this journey. It transitions from deciduous trees to meadow and marsh.
Coley is interested in the idea of public space. His art explores how architecture gains meaning. He investigates how the built environment reflects its inhabitants. He also examines how people respond to it culturally.
The five stages of the artwork relate to different elevations. These are views from the South Bank and Blackfriars Bridge. Also from eye level around the site. They frame views to and from the river. They create focal points at important thresholds. They add drama and shelter.
One stage, simply named Stage, frames the western view. It invites people to the water’s edge. Another sculpture, Zig Zag, offers seating and shelter. The Waterwall acts as a water feature. The Twins integrate into the river wall. Kicker links the upper terrace and Fleet path.
The sculptures use cast concrete and concrete cladding. Techcrete limestone concrete creates a monolithic texture. The surface is not smooth or highly polished. The intention is to make it as dark as possible.
Bazalgette chose Portland cement for the London sewers. This was a radical choice. He believed it was stronger than Roman cement when submerged. Without Portland cement, much of London’s 19th-century development wouldn’t have lasted. The London docks also relied on this cement.
The Bazalgette drawings Mural elevates the material itself. It responds to the invisible engineering of Bazalgette’s sewers. The five sculptures reference this heroic engineering. They stand as a testament to innovation. They remind us of the courage to put it to good use.
Take a closer look at the Bazalgette drawings Mural. Consider the impact of this artwork. It’s more than just art. It’s a tribute to the unsung heroes of London’s past. It reminds us that innovation can transform a city.