Boris Johnson has given his backing to plans for a £3million sculpture trail called the The Line which will link the Olympic Park with the 02.
The Mayor, who joins supporters including Danny Boyle, Mark Wallinger and David Bailey, said the proposed trail of around 30 contemporary and modern artworks was “a fabulous idea”.
“The park is a world-class visitor destination and the perfect place to begin a cultural exploration along our historic waterways, whilst ending in Greenwich will encourage people to explore one of London’s newest districts,” he said today.
“I wish the team behind The Line every success in developing this exciting project. Our Fourth Plinth programme has shown the enthusiasm there is for public art and their crowdfunding campaign harks back to the public subscriptions that supported many of the historic statues to be found around our city.”
The project is the idea of art dealer Megan Piper and regeneration expert Clive Dutton. It could open this summer if at least £150,000 is raised through crowdfunding by the end of this month to pay for planning applications and other costs. Otherwise, it will be delayed until next year.
Architect Richard Rogers said it was a potentially great way to regenerate the area while east London-born photographer Bailey said it “can only be a good thing”.
Ahtlete Christine Ohuruogu compared the project with Street Games, which took athletics out of the stadium to find new fans. “Likewise, with the art, it is providing a new environment for people to actually witness art in. It brings art to the people.” Broadcaster Jon Snow said the Fourth Plinth project in Trafalgar Square showed the “fantastic impact” art could have.
“Here we have the opportunity to have really large quantities of art at different stations along The Line and I think this is a wonderful way of doing what’s been going on since London came of age, which was roughly when Tate Modern opened, and that is introducing more and more people to art.”
