Thames Run: Source to Sea
On the 31st of May 2021, as we were emerging from the 3rd National Lockdown of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the artist began the live artwork and run Thames Run : Source to Sea. it took place from 31st May to 13th June as part of the re-planned Estuary Festival Associated Programme #AssocProg2021, led by a partnership of arts organisations Metal (South Essex) and Cement Fields (North Kent).
Starting in Kemble, Gloucestershire, on Monday 31st May, the artist ran the length of the river over a continuous period of 14 days, stopping at identified places to rest and recharge overnight, before continuing the next day*. The journey ended at The Isle of Grain on the south side. The use of mobile and Internet technologies was at the heart of the work and key to the mediation and dissemination of the artwork as a live event. Audiences were able to track the artist's movements online using GPS tracking, live streaming and social media.
Key Links:
- 1. Live Streaming on Facebook Live (no longer live)
- (Click here): 2. GPS Tracking on Locatoweb (direct link)
- (Click here) 3. Daily Blog (gives a daily account of the journey)
Daily Sections of the 8m map/planning document/ drawing can be seen by clicking on this Thames Run: Source to Sea Daily Route Drawing link or on the link below.
A 14 day flyover journey was made during the first national lockdown in 2020, navigating the running route sections along the Thames using Google Earth to explore the terrain at a distance. This was shown in partnership with the Thames Festival Trust for Totally Thames 2020.
In 2019 and 2020 Véronique developed the pilot projects: Thames Run (Greater London) for the Totally Thames 2019 Festival and Thames Run (Greater London) v2 Northside for Totally Thames 2020 Festival, both of which encompassed a 3 day run across the breadth of Greater London West to East. A Time and Space Residency with METAL in 2018, allowed the artist develop preparatory work and to also explore the Thames Estuary on the north side. For more info see: https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/time-space-residency-at-metal-southend/
