London is changing - is creativity taking the hit?

Date
25 February 2015

Public art project London is Changing makes Londoners uncomfortably aware of the truths we’re perhaps trying to ignore: that our city is morphing beyond recognition, that creativity is at risk, and that for many people, it’s simply becoming unaffordable.

The project has been initiated by Central Saint Martins communication design course leader Rebecca Ross and her assistant Duarte Carrilho da Graça, and uses huge black and white billboards to show messages from Londoners about their city. Many tell the story of those priced out and forced to leave, while others voice concerns about how long they will be able to stay. There are a couple of love letters to the city, too, though these seem to be in the minority. The two boards are in Holborn and Aldgate, and use digital screens to change the message being shown.

London is Changing collects these views on a website which lets users submit their views, with the data being collected throughout 2015. Rebecca hopes the findings will “encourage discussion about the impact of economic and policy changes on the culture of diversity of London.” The boards present frightening truths about a city with so much cultural and social impact, that we still really, really love.

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Rebecca Ross: London is Changing

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Rebecca Ross: London is Changing

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Rebecca Ross: London is Changing

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Rebecca Ross: London is Changing

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Rebecca Ross: London is Changing

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About the Author

Emily Gosling

Emily joined It’s Nice That as Online Editor in the summer of 2014 after four years at Design Week. She is particularly interested in graphic design, branding and music. After working It's Nice That as both Online Editor and Deputy Editor, Emily left the company in 2016.

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