© Rob Greig
Southbank blue paint mystery
Wed Nov 4 2009
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For nine years, the poem Eurydice , by poet Sue Hubbard, has lightened the footsteps of weary commuters as they traverse the underpass between the IMAX cinema and Waterloo station. Sadly it is no more. Last weekend, a mystery vandal covered the poem – and the rest of the tunnel – in blue paint.
The poem, which the Arts Council and British Film Institute commissioned to be engraved on the underpass wall, was featured as one of the city's gems in Time Out's 'Best of London' issue at the end of September. We said, 'The poem makes the experience of taking the underpass a little less grim. It works brilliantly.' Weeks later, it has been painted over by yards of lavatory blue paint.
'It was a bit battered but, amazingly, despite the location, it had never been defaced. I took that as a compliment and a mark of respect. Over the years I have received numerous emails from complete strangers telling me how important it has been to them in a variety of ways.
'For those rushing past it every day to and from work, the words had a meditative and calming effect, others used it as a landmark, and one man touchingly emailed from Canada to say that he had proposed in front of it. It was loved by many and for many different reasons,' says poet Sue Hubbard, who is urging people to join the Facebook campaign to have the poem reinstated.
So who was responsible for this cultural act of vandalism?
We called BFI to find out. They hadn’t even heard about the paint job. Eventually, they got back to us with the culprits: Network Rail, who part own the land there.
‘We are disappointed that the poem originally commissioned for the space has been erased. It was a much loved piece of inspiring poetry which helped to transform the space and we would very much like to see the poem reinstated by Network Rail,’ says Brian Robinson from the BFI.
We contacted Network Rail and put it to them that whilst those stinky tunnels badly need a clean-up, surely it would be possible to find a place for the poem somewhere in those subterranean depths?
‘The tunnel badly needed a refurbishment. It was an oversight not to have contacted BFI beforehand. But while it would have been courteous to let them know, it is not Network Rail’s responsibility to put it back up again.
If the BFI want to re-commission it than we would be happy to consider that,’ says Russell Spink from Network Rail.
Would BFI take up the gauntlet? ‘We would be happy to see it reinstated but these are difficult times and we have no budget for it,’ says the BFI’s Robinson.
So there we have it: a piece of much-loved public work swiped out in a night.
Of course, there could be another reason for the sudden spruce up. The area around the IMAX is being eyed-up for commercial redevelopment – a shortlist of design teams was drawn up last year. Sadly, a much loved, but slightly worn piece of public art probably wouldn’t be welcome as part of that shiny, new package.
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5 comments
In response to the question from Greg Watts concerning Poems on the Underground, it is quite some while since I've travelled by Tube (or even got to The Smoke), but I am gradually amassing a collection of the chapbook versions of a selection of Tube Poems from each year. Once we have got Sue Hubbard's Eurydice restored, I shall probably make the Search for the Missing Poems my next quest. E-Bay and Amazon are good (ie bargain price) sources of the chapbooks, but please don't outbid me!
From so far away, I am not sure what I could contribute to the restoration, but I am wholly in support of it. Very disappointing to see that a work of inspiration, shared without cost to those who read it, would be treated with such disrespect.
I would like to thank Christopher for enlightening me and others of this awful act of unnecessary thoughtlessness. I will absolutely join the group petition and anything else that I can do to have "Eurydice" restored.
Quite honestly, I think those who "took it away" should be forced into the responsibility of putting it back where it so rightfully belongs...to continue its message of inspiration.
Jenni
I am organising a "Restore Eurydice" campaign with the blessing of Sue Hubbard. As well as joining the Facebook page, please let me know if and how you are prepared to help.
Has London Underground discontinued Poems on the Underground? At one time, you'd find a poem in many Tube carriages. I haven't seen any in the last few months on the Jubilee, District and Northern Lines.
Thank you, Rebecca, for acting as David against the Goliath of Railtrack.
This work was commissioned by the BFI and The Arts Council and, therefore, was installed using public money. Railtrack have defaced something they did not pay for without any consultation either with the BFI, the architect Bryan Avery or with me. From the emails I have received over the years I know that my poem was much loved and meant a great deal to people for a variety of reasons. This was very touching.
If Railtrack had wanted to 'tidy up' the tunnel, as they claim, they could easily have restored the poem. It was never, as they suggest, defaced, simply rather shabby. It is a mark of respect, one lacking from railtrack itself, that no one had damaged it.
They may own the tunnel but they did not own the poem and did not pay for its installation.. Their suggestion that they simply 'forgot' to ask the BFI is simply cynical.
There is only one answer, that Railtrack should be forced to put it back. There are already nearly 200 names on the Facebook site. Please join.
This is more than about one poem. It is about the philistine attitues of an organisation such as Railtrack who feel that they can ride rough shod over other people's concerns and interests without any consultation.