A new video installation at London Transport Museum created by postgraduate students from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London will offer visitors an intriguing glimpse into how environmental change and technological advances could transform life in London by 2030, from 15-minute cities and car-free neighbourhoods to autonomous electrical vehicles and delivery drones.
Four newly created videos, which have been produced by students studying MA Innovation Management and MA Narrative Environments, will be on display in the ‘Future Journey, Future City’ gallery at London Transport Museum when it reopens to the public on 17 May.
Collaborating with the Museum virtually throughout the lockdown, the students have imagined what life in four corners of the capital will look like after a decade from now. Informed by research, each video instalment follows the story of different residents living in Acton, Brixton, Kings Cross and Walthamstow.
Set against the current backdrop of uncertainty, each digital narrative explores how the pandemic could impact our urban environments long-term and looks to the future through the lenses of innovation and sustainability.
By imaging how communities, neighbourhoods, infrastructure and transport could change, viewers can get a glimpse of what this might mean for daily life – from the ways we commute and where we socialise, to how we protect the environment and use technology to make our the city more accessible.
Alongside the new London 2030 videos in the Museum’s ‘Future Journey, Future City’ gallery, the students have also created a four-part video series hosted on London Transport Museum’s YouTube channel. Exploring the themes of empowerment, resilience, community and empathy, these aim to bring the debate about London’s future to more people. The videos will be shared between June and September.
Mimi Nguyen, a tutor on MAIM at Cental Saint Martins said ‘Our students are fortunate to be collaborating with a leading London cultural institution on a challenging and unique brief which brings together multiple disciplines, giving them an invaluable learning experience. Collaborating with the Museum team virtually throughout the lockdown, our students have created content which explores what our ‘new normal’ might look like ten years from now. Viewers will gain an insight into how the period of social and systemic liminality we are living in now is acting as a threshold for innovation and an opportunity for sustainable reform.’
Lydia Markham, MA Innovation Management student said, ‘For all of us, working on a live client brief for this established cultural institution is an amazing creative opportunity. We are being encouraged to challenge our perceptions of the future of London and our part in shaping it.’
Elizabeth McKay, London Transport Museum’s Chief Operating Officer said, ‘London Transport Museum’s collection not only charts how life in the Capital has evolved over the last 200 years but how it will change into the future. The world currently stands at a climate crossroads and how we act today will define life for future generations. Our ‘London 2030’ collaboration with Central Saint Martins will ignite people’s curiosity, getting them thinking about how we harness the power of community, technology and transport to create a welcoming, vibrant, innovative and green city for tomorrow, a theme we’ll be continuing to explore with our visitors throughout the year.’
When the relevant restrictions lift on Monday 17 May 2021, London Transport Museum in Covent Garden will be throwing open its doors to visitors from 10:00. The Museum’s friendly Customer Service Team will be on hand with a warm welcome to help people enjoy their visit safely.
To help people social distance, timed tickets and one-way routes will be in place, and unless exempt or under the age of 11, visitors must wear a face mask. Hand sanitiser stations are located throughout and an enhanced cleaning regime using anti-viral disinfectant that protects for up to 30 days is in operation.
Visitors can look forward to refreshed galleries featuring new collection objects and digital displays, as well as a family-friendly trail for May half-term and line-up of new themed After Dark events for adults.
The Museum’s London 2030 collaboration with Central Saint Martins follows the launch of the Museum’s latest thought-leadership report, Rethinking Sustainable Cities. This highlights how equality and social inclusion must go hand in hand with climate protection and economic growth to ensure the long-term success of sustainable cities and a green recovery post-pandemic.
The report was published by London Transport Museum in collaboration with leading technical and professional services firm Jacobs, international law firm Gowling WLG, global transportation company Thales, and mobility and logistics software solutions business PTV Group.
London Transport Museum will be announcing more public events exploring a green future for the Capital later in the year.
For more information about the London Transport Museum and Central Saint Martins’ collaboration visit the website.
