Art on the Underground presents Acts of Kindness – a new art project for stations and trains on the Central line created by Michael Landy, in collaboration with London Underground customers and staff. Landy is one of the UK’s leading visual artists who grew up in east London where he still lives, and throughout his life most of his journeys have started out on the Central line. This project celebrates the ordinary acts of generosity and compassion that take place every day on the Tube. From 18 June, Acts of Kindness invites users of the Underground, as well as Central line staff, to share stories of kindness that they have witnessed or been part of while travelling by Tube or on duty. Customers should look out for posters across the Tube network or go to art.tfl.gov.uk to submit their stories. Landy will select from these stories and place them as poster artworks in stations and trains along the Central line, adding more to look out for over time. The first Acts of Kindness stories will be debuted at four Central Line stations from the weekend of 23 July. More stories will be published at the Acts of Kindness web page. In the future, trains travelling on the line will also carry the stories.
Landy’s major projects include Break Down (Artangel, 2001), where he destroyed all his material possessions. The experience led him to reflect deeply on the value of the small acts of compassion that connect us with others, triggering his idea for Acts of Kindness. His other projects include Semi-Detached (2004), for which he reproduced his parents’ house to scale inside the galleries of Tate Britain, and Art Bin (2010) at the South London Gallery where he invited artists to come and throw away their work. Landy is currently Associate Artist at the National Gallery. In recognition of his major contribution to contemporary art, he was made a lifetime member of the Royal Academy of Arts in 2008.
To find out more about Acts of Kindness and submit your story visit art.tfl.gov.uk/actsofkindness
Michael Landy will be conversation with Mark Vernon on Wednesday 20 July, 7pm, Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 This is a free event, with booking essential. To find out more please see HERE ››
