Another surprise discovery in London recently – numbered mazes found at Tube stations. This one’s at Victoria.
It’s another Art on the Underground initiative called Labyrinth, which was commissioned for The Tube’s 150th anniversary in 2013. The project also has its own section on the Art on the Underground’s website, where you can find the location of each maze.
Here’s the first one I found… at Edgware Road.
Toro at Victoria tube station, Circle & District Line judging by the stripe above the station name; a Friday Bench on March 11th 2011
Occasionally I get a Press Release which piques my interest. At first I didn’t think that was the case with ‘Forest’ exhibit celebrates Robin Day’s Centenary; after all, I thought it was about a different Robin Day, not the designer.
Then quite by chance I decided to read it rather than hitting the delete button like I usually do. Towards the end I found his work included iconic furniture for the Royal Festival Hall and several benches.
Woodro at Southfields tube station, District Line; a Friday Bench on September 3rd 2010
I took particular interest in the comments about his Toro and Woodro designs for Transport for London when I realised both designs were familiar.
Could I have included them as a Friday Bench? I embarked on a quest to find them and as you can see from the photos, the answer is yes.
Centro at Regent’s Park tube station, Bakerloo line; a Friday Bench on December 14th 2013
The supplier’s website also shows Centro, another Robin Day design destined for tighter spaces, and as you can see, I’ve featured that as a Friday Bench too 🙂
Looking through my Benches archive, I’m struck at the immense variety in this simple item of public furniture. The materials used, the budget available, the brief given by the client and the designer’s vision combine to provide quite different responses to something we take for granted whenever we need to pause or rest.
Short stories and poems presented in different languages via QR codes on park benches. #GetCreativeVicpic.twitter.com/5lRRj3YIMu
— Matt Blackwood (@MattyBlackwood) June 30, 2015
Today’s Guest Bench is courtesy of a Twitter find. I love the mix of technology, art and benches enshrined in this creative idea.
At first I was drawn to the way the early morning light was shining through and on this bench, seeming to almost be returning it to its molten origins. And then I found this rather poignant plaque:
Just part of the totem pole at Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park, which was the world’s tallest in 1956.
A mural depicting some of the key touristy elements of Victoria. The little ferry boats always made us smile and it’s good to see public planting highlighted for once!
I wonder how often this bench gets used. This was a contemporary building (and bench) between historic buildings in the James Bay area of Victoria. Despite its looks, I didn’t think the building or bench jarred with their neighbours.
I found this picture more interesting than the one taken from the spot indicated!
Just 2 questions: where have these come from and why are they for sale? Seen on Government Street in Victoria in August.
Sign of the Times 