Last month saw world-renowned artists, architects and designers taking part in the 10×10 Drawing the City London weekend, helping to raise funds for the UK??s leading architectural and construction aid charity, Article 25.
A section of London was divided into a 10×10 grid with each of the 100 squares allocated to a prominent architect, designer or an artist. Entitled ??Where the Bow Bells Chime??, after the notion that to be a true East Londoner you must be born within earshot of the Bow Bells in St-Mary-le-Bow church, this year??s 10×10 drawing weekend took in areas such as Hoxton, Shoreditch and the Barbican.
The artwork created is due to go on display to the public from 21 to 28 November at 1 Granary Square, London. Visitors will then have the opportunity to bid for selected pieces by attending a special charity live auction event on the 28 November.
Architects Sir Terry Farrell, Eva Jiricna, Zaha Hadid, Pierce Gough, Lord Richard Rogers, TV broadcaster Jonathan Foyle and branding guru Steve Edge were among those creating unique pieces of art, capturing the extraordinary, the unnoticed and the ever-changing City of London.
Tim Makower, Principal of Makower Architects and creator of the original 10×10 concept, comments; ?10×10 is about connecting people and places together – making a collective snapshot of the city and celebrating its diversity. But it is also about connecting affluent London with parts of the World with dire and immediate needs. These are the places where Article 25’s projects are happening around the World, partly thanks to the funds raised from 10×10. It is exciting that, having done the City and the West End in the last two years, 10×10 has now gone East. I am sure the drawings produced will be a rich tapestry, just like that part of London.??
Roger FitzGerald, Chair of ADP Architecture firm comments, “ADP has supported Article 25 for many years because it does such brilliant work. 10×10 is a really clever idea. I particularly enjoy the fact that I’m just a small part of a wider group, and the process of discovering, exploring and representing your own square is very exciting.”
Christopher Choa, Principal at AECOM, comments, ?We commit ourselves to drawing the city. We give our best; the engagement creates value not just for others but for ourselves. In many ways, it’s a metaphor for the mission of Article 25.”
Oliver Barratt, Sculptor, adds, ?The reason I am taking part in 10 x 10 is because it gives a chance to engage with the poetic serendipity of the city. The collision of the material, urban, structured environment with the strangely unexpected. Cities are hiding places of the modern imagination and 10 x 10 gives me a chance to explore its fragmented wonder.??
The 10×10 charity auction helps to raise funds for Article 25. All proceeds of the sale of the artwork will go to Article 25??s Street Children Centres.
