Natasha Reid reflects on the impact her installation outside St Paul’s Cathedral had on her and those who viewed it.
Having taken part in Platform-7’s remembrance event day in 2012, no man’s land, I had been researching Blitz damage in London and was particularly struck by how St Paul’s survived the WWII bombings; the photographs of its dome, rising above smoke and devastation are such iconic images, an extraordinary symbol of endurance. I knew this had to be my site for Silent Cacophony this year, and I wanted to develop an intervention as a way of understanding and engaging with this piece of city: To uncover and reveal the layers of history and meaning which shape the experience of a particular place.
My proposed installation, “Echo” aimed to be subtle and quiet, its symbolism revealed only upon closer inspection to form a quiet reminder of a hugely violent event in London’s history. Something that momentarily made legible the memory of the devastation of the past, and might be discovered by accident, perhaps causing passer’s by to be intrigued and find out more, and perhaps even reflect upon events at the historic location. The fragmented forms of shattered plaster suspended from a tree evoked debris and destruction, but the dark subject matter was juxtaposed unexpectedly with the wind-chime like tinkle the pieces made in the wind.
Many people happened upon the installation during the event, city-types using the gardens as a cut-through to a meeting, tourists ambling through the city, people on conferences with a few hours to spare, families exploring Wren’s masterpiece. Some gave it just an inquisitive or perplexed glance, whilst others came up and touched the plaster, took photos, read the interpretation. “It’s like shrapnel, right?” asked one business man. A child picked up some plaster pieces I had left to weigh down the Silent Cacophony posters nearby and began to tie them to the tree, adding to the installation and completely opening up my eyes to what the intervention could be – something for other people to create and shape. This simple act was my favourite moment of the day, a completely unanticipated, tiny gesture that inspired a new way of thinking about what I’d made.
Go to Natasha's Echo at St Paul's Gallery [click]
www.natashareid.co.uk