Clean Power: New aerial installation by renowned artist debuts over London's famous Oxford Street
New West End Company
Press Office
A new aerial art installation has taken over London’s famous Oxford Street to encourage action on the transition to a low carbon future, helping to fund community rooftop solar energy and the planting of woodland in the capital.
LONDON, 10 August 2022 – A new aerial art installation has taken over London’s famous Oxford Street to encourage action on the transition to a low carbon future, helping to fund community rooftop solar energy and the planting of woodland in the capital.
The Clean Power campaign, which was founded by #TOGETHERBAND in support of UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, has partnered with Oxford Street to amplify the message and help visitors, shoppers and businesses find out how they can play their part.
Made of recycled plastic from marine environments, the installation consists of 105 vast, 4-metre flags, which span the entire length of Oxford Street from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road. Once the artwork has made its debut in London’s West End, the campaign will embark on a world tour that will see it visit Japan, The US, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.
The installation marks only the second time the famous flags have changed on Oxford Street this year. It is also the first time ever that an artist has curated or created the flags, and the first time they have supported an environmental cause.
Contemporary artist Morag Myerscough is behind the bold visual installation for the Clean Power campaign - an initiative which uses art as a catalyst to drive change and aims to educate and empower individuals and businesses to create a positive environmental impact.
What’s more, everyone in the UK can support the Clean Power campaign by purchasing a digital artwork created by Morag for just £3. Through the digital artwork, the campaign will fund the installation of new community rooftop solar energy in central London alongside the planting of a new woodland in Greater London. It will then support different initiatives in the cities it visits over the coming months.
The impactful and joyful aerial art installation features hundreds of flags emblazoned with the words ‘TIME FOR CLEAN POWER’. They will run along the course of London’s iconic Oxford Street for four weeks. The installation is accompanied by a Clean Power sculptural work and animated graphic artwork, which will debut on September 1st on the famous Piccadilly Circus lights.
In addition to this, QR codes (pictured below) allow anyone in the UK to view more of Myerscough’s work, and lead to cleanpower.eco. Here, visitors can support the campaign by purchasing the Clean Power-Up digital artwork from Morag, as well as read about energy-saving tips and some of the initiatives that the campaign will be supporting.
“My work is synonymous with bold colours and powerful positive messaging. It is so wonderful to see Europe’s busiest street filled with colour and hope.
Morag Myerscough, Artist
Morag Myerscough continued: "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. The oranges, greens and blues represent the sun, sea and air that we need to power ourselves to a renewable future.”
Oliver Wayman, #TOGETHERBAND co-creator commented: “This campaign gives the British public a way to get actively engaged in the fight against climate change. This is not just a global issue, but a local one, with local solutions. We want to showcase these and help individuals and businesses engage with and support initiatives that are working towards creating a greener future. We want to instil a sense of hope and show that there are positive, solutions-based approaches to climate change, which accelerate the transition towards a zero carbon future while improving our local environments and communities. Morag is the perfect artist to partner with. Her bright, bold art on the flags will excite and inspire people to make positive environmental choices and sustain the planet that we love.”
The campaign is not only aimed at the public – it is also encouraging businesses to get involved through the Big Clean Switch, which is able to advise them on the switch to renewable energy and help to join them up with suppliers whose environmental credentials and customer service have been thoroughly checked.
Dee Corsi, COO of New West End Company, said: “We are delighted to partner with Clean Power and Morag to launch the first ever environmental campaign above Oxford Street. Not only does the stunning installation bring joy to everyone who sees it, the campaign helps spread an important message and aims to raise funds for initiatives that will make real change. London’s West End is committed to becoming a more sustainable district through our overall path to net zero carbon, sustainable customer experiences and improved air quality."
"The Clean Power campaign encapsulates the work that we as a District need to deliver to ensure that we achieve our overall ambition for the West End to be the leading global destination for sustainable retail, leisure, dining and the built environment”
Dee Corsi, Chief Operating Officer, New West End Company
Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member of Planning and Economic Development at Westminster City Council, said: “We’re delighted to bring the Clean Power installation to Oxford Street as part of our commitment to keep the world’s busiest shopping destination both interesting and relevant. Clean Power also supports our key target of getting the City to net zero by 2040.”
Clean Power launches in London on August 10th before travelling internationally to countries around the world including Japan, The US, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. Members of the public can find out more by scanning the QR codes below or going to cleanpower.eco.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
CONTACT
For further information, please contact:
Katie Murray, Senior Account Director - kmurray@goodrelations.co.uk - 07595 251 580
Priyanka Loomba, Account Manager - priyanka.loomba@goodrelations.co.uk - 07531650633
ABOUT CLEAN POWER
Clean Power’s mission is to educate and empower individuals, businesses and leaders to create positive social and environmental impact. Using art as a catalyst, underpinned by strong solutions-based actions, Clean Power aims to drive systemic change and accelerate the transition towards a zero carbon future.
#TOGETHERBAND
The #TOGETHERBAND campaign was launched on Earth Day 2019 by sustainable accessories brand BOTTLETOP in partnership with the UN Foundation. It uses creativity and culture to raise public awareness for the UN Sustainable Development Goals and inspire action to achieve them. The campaign has created a global community of active citizens with a reach of seven billion, connected through sustainable fashion, contemporary art, music and documentary film. Ambassadors range from David Beckham and Naomi Campbell, to Halima Aden, Lewis Hamilton and Jameela Jamil. Every #TOGETHERBAND is made from reclaimed Parley Ocean Plastic®, decommissioned firearm metal and is handcrafted by artisans in Nepal creating skills and livelihoods for local women.
NEW WEST END COMPANY
New West End Company is a partnership of 600 retail, restaurant, hotel and property owners across the world's top shopping and leisure destination anchored by Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street.
It works in partnership delivering transformational projects, sustainable place management, destination marketing, advocacy, inward investment and commercial insights. It is an influential business voice, active in the wider community and a key partner in delivering a new West End.
www.newwestend.com
ABOUT BIG CLEAN SWITCH
Big Clean Switch is the UK’s leading green energy switching service. Since 2015 they’ve been helping homes and businesses all over the country save money by switching to planet-friendly power.
