Morag Myerscough X Clean Power: a typographic installation for a low carbon future
Type for good! The Clean Power campaign, founded by #TOGETHERBAND in support of UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, has partnered with Oxford Street to encourage action on the transition to a low-carbon future, with the help of the renowned contemporary artist Morag Myerscough.
The impactful and joyful aerial art installation features hundreds of flags emblazoned with the words ‘TIME FOR CLEAN POWER’ that run along the course of London’s iconic spot. The installation is accompanied by a Clean Power sculptural work and animated graphic artwork, that debuted on September 1st on the famous Piccadilly Circus lights as part of Art of London Season 2022: Brighter Future public outdoor art showcase.
Made of recycled plastic from marine environments, the typographic artwork consists of 105 vast, 4-meter flags, which span the entire length of the street from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road that spell a long-delayed call to environmental action.
“My work is synonymous with bold colors and powerful positive messaging. It is wonderful to see Europe’s busiest street filled with color and hope. With this work I wanted to put out an optimistic approach towards our future, if we work together we can help make the changes we need to happen” said Myerscough. “The oranges, greens, and blues represent the sun, sea, and air that we need to power ourselves to a renewable future” she added.
“It felt really important to make energy a positive thing because, at the moment, it's negative,” Myerscough told Dezeen. “Renewables are positive – it's the future, and we want people to connect with that…. It's not a branding thing; it's activism” she said.
“Nearly three-quarters of greenhouse gases come from the energy we use to power our lives. Time is running out. We need to minimize our dependence on fossil fuels and find new renewable energy sources. We need more solar solutions, more electric cars, and more wind farms” notes the campaign.
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Using art as a catalyst to drive change and educate the public on the urgency to switch to renewable energy, Myerscough has also created a digital artwork available to purchase for just £3. The earnings will fund the installation of new community rooftop solar energy in central London alongside the planting of new woodland in Greater London. It will then support different initiatives in the cities it visits over the coming months.
Back in November 2021, Clean Power worked with the artist on its #TOGETHERBAND Clean Power installations in Glasgow which were unveiled to coincide with COP26.
“It’s a really important message to get across in a public space,” said the artist. “I liked the idea of showing the everyday person that it’s not out of their reach to start making a better world very easily. If you can get out in public and get the message across in a powerful, joyful way, then hopefully you’ll plant the seed in people’s heads that they can make the switch to clean energy. It was an education for me as well. I’m just an everyday punter!”
Post-Oxford Street, the Clean Power aerial installation will embark on a world tour to countries including Japan, the US, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand.
Tags/ typography, london, activism, sustainability, environment, renewable
