As part of the Hydrocitizenship project supported by the Arts & Humanities Research Council Connected Communities programme, Active Energy is launching an innovative water installation at the House Mill, a Grade I-listed water mill, home to the largest mill wheels in the world. Come and see the water wheel in action and tour the Mill, visit an exhibition of student architect design schemes, and speak to artists, engineers, researchers, water and heritage experts about the project, the power of water, and give your input to the future of the site and water ecosystem.
Background: The greater life experience of older people is rarely a factor in the development of new technologies. However The Geezers, a group of senior men from Bow, East London have been raising and answering important questions about the possibility of ‘powering London’ with energy generated by the flow of its rivers. This arts and engineering collaboration that started with a SPACE commission in 2008, led to an exhibition proposing tidal turbines on the Thames Barrier, followed by intergenerational workshops and mentoring around sustainable energy at a local school which resulted in a turbine-driven lightwork installed on the roof of an Age UK centre.
The current phase of the project is taking place in the Lower Lea as part of the Hydrocitizenship initiative. Here the outflow from House Mill at the Three Mills heritage site is being utilised to drive a floating stream wheel powering an aerator to help oxygenate the water and counteract the effects of pollution on the river’s fish and wildlife. The wheel will be installed for over a month and a record kept of its performance and underwater photography of its working and the effect on water quality.
The project is led by artist Loraine Leeson with technical expertise provided by engineer Toby Borland and the support of Beverley Charters, House Mill; Ben Fenton, Love the Lea/Thames 21; and the Hydrocitizenship team at Middlesex University - Graeme Evans, Ozlem Edizel and Simon Read.
Find out more at:http://www.active-energy-london.org; and http://ww.leevvaley.org
Background: The greater life experience of older people is rarely a factor in the development of new technologies. However The Geezers, a group of senior men from Bow, East London have been raising and answering important questions about the possibility of ‘powering London’ with energy generated by the flow of its rivers. This arts and engineering collaboration that started with a SPACE commission in 2008, led to an exhibition proposing tidal turbines on the Thames Barrier, followed by intergenerational workshops and mentoring around sustainable energy at a local school which resulted in a turbine-driven lightwork installed on the roof of an Age UK centre.
The current phase of the project is taking place in the Lower Lea as part of the Hydrocitizenship initiative. Here the outflow from House Mill at the Three Mills heritage site is being utilised to drive a floating stream wheel powering an aerator to help oxygenate the water and counteract the effects of pollution on the river’s fish and wildlife. The wheel will be installed for over a month and a record kept of its performance and underwater photography of its working and the effect on water quality.
The project is led by artist Loraine Leeson with technical expertise provided by engineer Toby Borland and the support of Beverley Charters, House Mill; Ben Fenton, Love the Lea/Thames 21; and the Hydrocitizenship team at Middlesex University - Graeme Evans, Ozlem Edizel and Simon Read.
Find out more at:http://www.active-energy-london.org; and http://ww.leevvaley.org
