Light the Way

Light the Way in partnership with Peabody and Hive Curates was a festival intended to bring communities together through unexpected light installations, capturing the magic, awe and storytelling of Thamesmead’s landscapes.

With the event, Hive wanted to delve deeper into our habitats, underground networks and waterways in Thamesmead. Themes of renewal, growth and connection reminded us of the delicate symbiosis of humans and nature. The festival saw over 4,000 local residents enjoy a free event over one evening in March 2023. Partners included Bow Arts, YMCA, Ridgeway Users, Pathway to the Thames, Thames Water, London College of Performing Arts and North West Kent Partnership.

.As part of the light festival we took a unique approach as a studio and created x2 public artworks that involved local communities in different ways.

‘Nature Through a New Lens’ is an evolving community-led piece designed by Hive Curates. The artwork was created from a series of workshops led by local artist Sarah Garrod where participants were asked to capture the nature within Thamesmead’s landscapes. The resulting installation is a series of beautiful blueprints of plants spotlighting the biodiversity of the local area. We intend for the artwork to tour to different locations working with a variety of habitats and communities.

A Fragile World is an interactive art installation created by Hive Curates, a tessellated iceberg comprised of geometric triangular shapes. For Light the Way the iceberg floated on Crossway Park pond and was activated from collective power generated from bicycle pedal power, visitors were able to watch the installation glow brighter with more power. The artwork serves as a powerful reminder of the ever looming threat of climate change and rising water levels.