London SE1 community website

Soil from SE1 gardens included in Tate Turbine Hall installation

London SE1 website team

Soil from seven parks and gardens in SE1 has been included in a new art installation in Tate Modern's Turbine Hall.

Soil from SE1 gardens included in Tate Turbine Hall installation

Empty Lot by Mexican artist Abraham Cruzvillegas is the first of the new Hyundai-sponsored commissions for the Turbine Hall after the success of the long-running Unilever Series.

The sculpture consists of two stepped triangular platforms that extend east and west across Tate Modern's Turbine Hall from the central bridge.

The platforms hold a geometric grid of 240 wooden planters filled with compost and over 23 tonnes of soil collected from parks and gardens across London, including Buckingham Palace.

Bankside Open Spaces Trust has contributed soil from Waterloo Millennium Green, Red Cross Garden, Mint Street Park, St George's Garden, Little Dorrit Park and the community garden at Tate Modern.

Southwark Council has also provided earth from Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park.

The soil will be lit by lampposts constructed by the artist using materials found in skips and building sites around Tate Modern.

Nothing has been planted by the artist, but flowers, mushrooms, and other greenery may grow depending on what seeds or bulbs have found their way into the soil.

'Seed bombing' is not officially encouraged but is likely to be tolerated.

Empty Lot will be in the Turbine Hall until 3 April 2016.

The SE1 website is supported by people like you
We are part of
Independent Community News Network
Email newsletter

For the latest local news and events direct to your inbox every Monday, you need our weekly email newsletter SE1 Direct.

Archive
News archive from February 1999 to January 2001
Got a story for us?
Contact us with your tip-offs and story ideas.