Saliva artwork marks start of work on Science Gallery at Guy's

Instead of the usual ceremony with shovels and hi-viz jackets, guests were invited to spit into a bucket to contribute their saliva to an experimental art project.

Artist Inés Camara Leret will use the saliva to create a 'collective spit crystal'.

The new Science Gallery London will occupy space in Boland House formerly used by McDonald's and the King's College London students' union.

With the former McDonald's restaurant now stripped out, work can begin in earnest on the new science and art attraction which is due to open in Autumn 2017.

The Guy's Hospital courtyard – latterly the consultants' car park – will also be given a makeover as part of the project.

Science Gallery London will have exhibition, studio and performance spaces, a flexible theatre space, as well as a cafe overlooking and extending onto the courtyard.

"We are incredibly excited to begin the building project to create Science Gallery London in this amazingly central site at the heart of London Bridge," said Tim Henbrey, head of project deliver.,

"Thanks to the generous support of our capital funders, the gallery will provide fantastic new opportunities to connect young adults, researchers, artists and local communities with science, art and innovation and we can't wait to get going!"

Deborah Bull, assistant principal (culture & engagement), King's College London, said: "It was a real honour to be present at the start of building work to create Science Gallery London.

"We are creating a new space that will generate unique interactions between King's College London and the communities around it – a free-to-visit cultural venue and attraction that specifically looks at the needs and interests of 15-25 year olds and draws on diverse research and innovative thinking from across the university."