Context
For "The Waiting Room" at Peckham Rye Station in London, I played a key role in transforming a large Victorian waiting room, unused for nearly 50 years, into an immersive art installation. The project required blending the historic architecture of the station with contemporary artistic elements, creating a space that resonated with both the past and present.
This exhibition was presented by Artangel, with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Responsibilities
I managed the conversion of the abandoned Victorian waiting room into a dynamic exhibition space. This involved overseeing the restoration and preparation of the room, ensuring the space could safely and effectively house the artwork. My responsibilities included coordinating the complex logistics of installing large-scale, multimedia works in a non-traditional, historically significant space. This required meticulous planning, including structural assessments, material sourcing, and managing transportation and installation within the constraints of the urban environment. I also facilitated communication between Artangel, local stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to navigate site-specific requirements and ensure the project adhered to safety and preservation standards.
Outcome
This installation became a compelling fusion of contemporary art and historical context, offering visitors an immersive experience that evoked the chaos and speed of modern life within the serene, aged walls of the Victorian station. The installation was widely praised for its innovative use of space and technology, drawing comparisons to the experience of being inside an exploded iPhone, as described by writer Zadie Smith. This project underscored my ability to manage complex, site-specific art installations, balancing the demands of historical preservation with the creative ambitions of a contemporary artist, ultimately delivering a memorable and impactful public art project.
