The world(s) come to the City of London
A unique sculpture trail comes to the Square Mile this summer to encourage City workers, residents, and visitors to take a journey of discovery to explore the many layers of our shared history, and how we can make racial justice a reality.
From 13 August to 31 October, The World Reimagined will transform the Square Mile’s streets with a free art trail of 10 globe sculptures, each of them designed by an individual artist who is responding to themes, ranging from Mother Africa to Still we Rise and Expanding Soul.
Connected by a digital platform that enables visitors to dive into a distinctive heritage collection, the trail will stretch from Bank, through to St Paul’s Cathedral, Guildhall, and towards Aldgate. Visitors will be able to plan their days out in early August when the full trail details will be released.
The trail takes place at the same time as trails in six other cities as The World Reimagined invites people across the UK to acknowledge this history, and support the work of brilliant community activists and organisations.
Supported by the City of London Corporation, the globes will bring people, families, and communities together to talk about how we understand our history, how our past shapes our future, and how we can act for social change.
Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, Wendy Hyde, said:
“The globe trail is an excellent opportunity to provide a platform for artists and creatives, both, emerging talents and those who have enjoyed success and recognition on the world stage, and we are proud to support this initiative.
“This is an important programme that will help to shape and inform our understanding of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its impact on all of us.
“For our part, the City of London’s role in the Trade should be recognised and acknowledged – and not overlooked or hidden - because it is our collective responsibility to highlight its historic role in creating the area that we know today.”
The globes have been created by artists from London and across the UK, bringing the city to life with diverse experiences and creative styles. They include Foluso Oguntoye, Glen Brooks, Kione Grandison, Phoebe Boswell, Yinka Shonibare CBE, Curtis Holder, Winston Branch, Sarah Owusu, Gil Mualem-Doron. A tenth Globe has been created by Zimbabwean-born visual artist, Natasha Muluswela, who is based in the UK - inspired by collaboration with local communities.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
About The World Reimagined
The World Reimagined is a ground-breaking, vibrant art education project to transform how we understand the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its impact on all of us so that we can make racial justice a reality, together. Supported by Official Presenting Partner SKY, the project will see a trail of large Globe sculptures across seven cities including: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool City Region, London, and Swansea. From 13 August to 31 October 2022, the globes will be displayed across these cities, inspiring and galvanising communities to better understand what it means to be Black and British. Bringing to life the reality and impact of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans by remembering the past, whilst still moving forward - celebrating the spirit and culture that has endured so much suffering.
The trails are being delivered in partnership with global public art producers, Wild in Art, who have a proven track record of creating world-class events which entertain, enrich, inform, and leave a legacy. Previous work includes the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascot trail, the award-winning Bee in the City in Manchester, and Rockets around Leicester. The trails are at the centre of learning, community and heritage programmes that invite everyone to take part: www.theworldreimagined.org/