Click on an endorser to read their comments about Aluna:
Lord Martin Rees - Astronomer Royal, President of The Royal Society, Aluna Honorary Patron
Boris Johnson - Mayor of London
Nicky Gavron - London Assembly Member and Former Deputy Mayor of London, Aluna Honorary Patron
Sir Patrick Moore - Astronomer
Brian Eno - Musician & Writer
Dame Jude Kelly OBE - Artistic Director, South Bank Centre
Sir Terry Farrell - Architect & Thames Gateway master planner, Aluna Honorary Patron
Professor the Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey OBE
Mike Davies CBE - Director, Rogers Stirk and Partners, Architects
Counciller Denise Jones - London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Jim Fitzpatrick MP - Member of Parliament, Poplar & Canning Town
Gavin McAlpine - Sir Robert McAlpine Group
Dr Stephanie Merry - Renewable Energy Association and Focus Offshore Ltd
Dava Sobel - Author "Longitude"
Dr Robert Massey - Royal Astronomical Society
Richard Dawkins FRS - Prof of the Public Understanding of Science, Author "The Selfish Gene"
David Rooney - writer, historian and former Curator of Timekeeping at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Venu Dhupa - Director Arts, British Council
Dr Ian Gibson MP - Member of Parliament, House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology
Jay Griffiths - Author "Pip Pip - A Sideways Look at Time"
Dr Usama Hasan - Islamic Astronomer, Lecturer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, Member of The City Circle, Imam at Tawhid Mosque, East London
Peter Lang - Resurgence Magazine
Rabbi Kathleen de Magtige-Middleton - Middlesex New Synagogue
Lionel Sims - Principal Lecturer Anthropology, University of East London
Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory
Alan Ereira - Film-maker "From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers' Warning"
Carl Honoré - Author "In Praise of Slow"
Jane Taylor - Positive News
Samantha Heath - Director, London Sustainability Exchange
Councillor Chris Roberts - London Borough of Greenwich Council Leader
Bob Harris - Chair of
Cliff Prior OBE - Virginia Quay Resident, London E14
Mark Bensted - London Director, British Waterways
Paul Allen FRSA - Development Director, Centre for Alternative Technology
Rita Bensley - Chair, Association of Island Communities
Tim Smit, Co-founder, The Eden Project
Dr Ken Collins, School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton and National Oceanography Centre, Southampton www.noc.soton.ac.uk
Liverpool John Moores University Astrophysics Research Institute
What our endorsers say
Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal & President of The Royal Society
"Aluna will be a beautiful and monumental new feature… It celebrates
a tradition of maritime and astronomical achievements. It also reminds
us of our dependence on the tides and their near-eternal cycles, and of
our powerful connections with nature and the cosmic environment."
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
"It is clear to me that a unique and imaginative landmark like Aluna would be another great symbol of the cultural legacy London 2012 will leave the capital and the country. It would showcase the best of British creativity and engineering, and offer inspiring opportunities for intercultural dialogue and understanding. Powered by the tidal river Thames and built from glass recycled by Londoners themselves, a world first like Aluna would draw international visitors to this part of East London and engage Londoners. The riverside location at the East India Dock Basin seems a perfect spot for such an intriguing art work and Aluna would complement the existing nature reserve. I wish the Aluna team every success in taking this project forward."
Nicky Gavron, London Assembly Member and Former Deputy Mayor of London
"The Aluna Moon Clock project is amongst the most interesting and
imaginative proposals I have seen while being Deputy Mayor and an extraordinary
example of a living landmark.
The measurement of time has roots in the old Greenwich Royal Observatory
and the establishment of the Greenwich datum and Greenwich Mean Time as
world standards. There are a number of possible sites close to the Meridian
and one is currently being given active consideration.
Aluna has the potential to become symbolic of the regeneration planned
for the Lower Lea Valley in association with London’s successful
Olympics bid and, indeed, for the regeneration of the whole Thames Gateway.
The project is of regional significance and in the right location, could
have a comparable defining role for its area as the Angel Of The North
has for the North East.
London is the most diverse and cosmopolitan city on Earth. The Moon has
an important place in many cultures and religions. The Aluna Clock will
therefore become a focus of community understanding and inclusion as well
as a landmark and a scientific instrument.
The Aluna Clock is an exceptional project and an extraordinary example
of public art. It is essential to maintain the momentum and turn an excellent
concept into reality on the ground."
Jon Tucker, Head of Science
Museum
"Highly innovative and thoughtful... a terrific addition to the
cityscape... a great example of human ingenuity linking the past to the
future."
Sir Patrick Moore, Astronomer
"An interesting and very valuable project."
Dame Jude Kelly OBE, Artistic Director, South Bank Centre
"Aluna is symbolic of the quality of imagination and creativity of our homegrown artists. We must find ways to enable individuals to express their visions on the large canvass which will enhance the public realm."
Sir Terry Farrell, Architect & Thames Gateway master planner
"The Aluna project is easily among the most exciting new projects and major visitor attractions for London’s Thames. Laura Williams’ brilliant idea links the moon and tides in an iconic sculptural form that is powered by tidal turbines and made of recycled glass and steel. It is symbolic of the vision for East London and the Thames Gateway as an exciting place to live and work. I am very keen that all of us who are interested in the tidal Thames will find a way to realise the fundraising and construction of this beautiful project."
Professor the Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey OBE
"The influence of the moon is a recurring feature in many different cultures and belief systems. The Aluna Project will provide an exciting, significant opportunity for intercultural dialogue between communities; celebrating the moon as a shared symbol in an inclusive humanity is an innovative, ground-breaking way to build bridges. I hope this creative project achieves its full potential to bring a high quality cultural experience to a wide range of people."
Mike Davies CBE, Director, Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, Architects
"Aluna caught my imagination as a beautiful, large scale sculptural object, inspired and shaped by art, science, environmental and educational participatory opportunities, all wrapped into one element which has a certain universal quality. The site proposed for Aluna is well chosen, being a key public Thames riverside site, strategically placed at the south end of the Lea Valley Olympic Park and opposite the O2. Aluna will add art and inspiration to an area which will become part of the Olympic focus, but where all too few cultural, aesthetic and artistic interventions exist."
Denise Jones - London Borough of Tower Hamlets
"The Aluna project is a unique imaginative and educational arts installation that will be of interest to all communities in Tower Hamlets."
Jim Fitzpatrick MP - Member of Parliament, Poplar & Canning Town, London
"Aluna is the perfect landmark to represent London and the nation in 2012 because it unites people on a global and local level. It will provide a shared public space for the people of East London, and act as a beautiful reminder of our maritime history. By using glass recycled by Londoners Aluna will be both a product of, and a long-term legacy for, local communities."
Gavin McAlpine, Renewable Energy Systems Ltd & Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd
"The Aluna project has the potential to develop further people’s understanding of the critical issues of our time – climate change, renewable energy and regeneration. In its simplicity it will be incredibly powerful and would substantiate the necessity for effective communication in this era of global challenges and local fragmentation. Being located in the Thames Gateway regeneration area it would be important symbolically, as well as being a further catalyst for change. This is an exciting project to be associated with and we hope now that others will share this enthusiasm and the Aluna vision."
Dr Stephanie Merry, Renewable Energy Association
"The Aluna tidal-powered Moon Clock is a potential catalyst and a positive illuminating symbol for the British tidal power industry. The publicity and prestige this project is already generating will provide a highly visible and public demonstration of tidal-stream power and showcase of UK tidal stream generation technologies, in which we lead the world.
This project will also provide additional energy and a practical demonstration of tidal energy to the surrounding community by feeding any excess energy produced back to domestic homes in the area.
The Renewable Energy Association is delighted be involved and offers its full support to the Aluna Project."
Dava Sobel, Author "Longitude"
"Our Moon helped all the world’s great navigators find their
way. How I long to see her thanked and celebrated in this tidal clock…"
Dr Robert Massey, Astronomer
"Aluna uses modern technology to link the very visible movement of
the tides with the Sun and Moon. A project which embodies the new spirit
of collaboration between art and science, it will allow ordinary people
to better understand the movement of our nearest celestial neighbours.
I’m delighted to endorse Aluna and wish Laura and her team every
success with the project."
David Rooney, writer, historian and former Curator of Timekeeping at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich
"Aluna is a remarkable project. It provokes conversations and raises
questions about the nature of time and space, and, more importantly, about
us: how our actions and inventions and hopes and fears sit in a long time
and a big space. We need Aluna; we need to be reminded about our past
and our future, and what a magnificent and gentle and beautiful reminder
it is."
Venu Dhupa - Director Arts, British Council
"I think Aluna has the potential for an interfaith dimension that can be used to explore shared values. It could be a potent symbol of us imagining an holistic and peaceful future."
Dr Ian Gibson MP (House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology)
"Technology, innovation, inspirational science education and the public understanding of science are leading concerns of the day... Aluna is an eloquent expression of all of these and a stunning example of the kind of science/art projects Britain should be championing.
If we really want to demonstrate our seriousness about all our current science-related concerns, we need to have the courage to take on bold projects like Aluna that help integrate science into our culture.
The environmental setting of the piece alongside a visitors’ centre, which will help elucidate the scientific and cultural thinking behind it and the understanding of our universe it offers, will make for a stimulating and educational sight that I am sure many will travel to see."
Jay Griffiths, Author "Pip Pip -
A Sideways Look at Time" and "Wild"
"Aluna is both art and a way of thinking; revealing the beauty of
an undersung world; the Moon in an over-solar society, the tides in a
dry urban setting and the subtle grace of nature's times in a world too
dominated by clocks."
Dr Usama Hasan - Islamic Astronomer, Lecturer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, Member of The City Circle, Imam at Tawhid Mosque, East London
"In a world where the human spirit, soul and society are becoming
increasingly-fragmented, ALUNA is a refreshing project that brings together
art, science and spirituality: a welcome expression of the cosmos' underlying
unity-in-diversity that reflects the Divine Unity."
Peter Lang, London Representative, Resurgence
Magazine
"A breathtaking and inspiring project..."
Rabbi Kathleen de Magtige-Middleton,
Middlesex New Synagogue
"Aluna would be an enhancement... not only useful and aesthetically
pleasing, but particularly as a spiritually meaningful sculpture. The
design reflects the waxing and waning of the Moon and of our bodies –
which impact so much on our inner spiritual lives, but which are generally
ignored in our often hectic modern lives.
Connecting our lives back to these natural cycles is one way in which
we can enhance the spiritual dimension of our lives... Aluna emphasises
that time is not solely dictated by the dials of our clocks and diaries,
but the much greater process of creation in which we all partake. All
these concepts seem to be captured in Aluna."
Lionel Sims, Principal Lecturer Anthropology,
University of East London,
Consultant & Research Advisor to "Stonehenge Rediscovered"
(Parthenon Entertainment) released by National Geographic & Channel
5
"About six thousand years ago the people of what later became known
as Europe faced a turning point in their history. The hunting way of life
was finally coming to an end, and agriculture was becoming necessary for
survival. Life under the rhythm of the Moon was to be replaced with the
order of the Sun. To keep contact with a memory of those more carefree
times, Stonehenge and other monuments were built as both portals to a
lost way of life and machines to balance the Moon with the Sun.
Many feel that we are now at another turning point of history… Aluna
lets us rediscover how the Moon can moderate our lives and lift our spirits.
Aluna looks to the stars with ever-fluctuating lunar light, while its
roots are set in the oceans’ tides. It is an inspiration to those
who want to ride above the divisions that hold us back. Looking above,
below and around with hope, it is our modern Stonehenge."
Colin Bell, Head of Applications &
Prof Andrew Willmott, Director, Proudman
Oceanographic Laboratory
"We are excited to support Aluna and fully endorse the concept which
will bring together art and science in a totally unique way... Aluna encompasses
both 'Time and Tide' which are key elements to the work undertaken at
POL and our predecessors over the years."
Alan Ereira, film-maker whose work
includes "From
the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers' Warning", the Kogis'
message to mankind
"Aluna is, in Kogi philosophy, the mind inside nature. The wonderful
design of the Aluna project invites meditation on that. We live in the
chasm between past and future – Aluna is the bridge."
Carl Honoré, author of "In
Praise of Slow"
"Aluna is more than just a stunning piece of art. It is a call to
arms against the tyranny of the digital clock. We need Aluna now more
than ever, to remind us that Nature has her own rhythms."
Jane Taylor, Positive News
"What a tremendous project! Aluna will be a great reminder of the natural cycles and our place in the cosmos. Let's hope it will mark a turning point in our affairs when we begin again to live in harmony with nature."
Alison Taylor, Thames
Explorer Trust
"We take thousands of Londoners young and old out onto the foreshore
every year. This means that we are always talking to people about tides
and hence the Moon.
London is situated where it is because of the tides (and Moon) as it was
the furthest upriver the tides reached in Roman times when London was
founded. The Romans used the tides as a free energy source to bring their
boats upriver from the sea. So the Moon has strong connections with our
capital!"
Docklands
Light Railway
"On behalf of Docklands Light Railway (DLR) I wish to back the Aluna
Moon Clock project. It is an impressive proposal that would represent
a striking landmark for the Lower Lea Valley, London. Aluna's key themes
of regeneration, community understanding and social inclusion are in line
with DLR objectives and have been key factors in the ongoing renaissance
of the Docklands. The DLR considers the project an asset to both the area
it encompasses and London itself." David Sanders, Stakeholder &
Publicity Manager, Docklands Light Railway.
Samantha Heath, Director, London Sustainability Exchange
"Aluna seeks to promote an understanding of the rhythms of our natural world. The sustainability of our planet depends on us respecting those rhythms and supporting the planet, not depleting its resources.
London Sustainability Exchange believes Aluna will promote a new respect and understanding of the Earth, the Moon, the tides and the energy they create. As an inspirational beacon, Aluna has huge potential to unite Londoners to work together to becoming the most sustainable world city.
London Sustainability Exchange's mission is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable London by connecting and motivating people. We very much look forward to being involved with Aluna's realisation."
Councillor Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council, London
"Greenwich Council is pleased to endorse the Aluna project. This sculpture project is clearly a major public art initiative and could become a high status iconic statement for London as well as a major physical representation of the legacy for the 2012 Olympic Games.
I am particularly keen to attract this public art piece to Greenwich as I believe that, with the Royal Greenwich Observatory and Greenwich Mean Time, this borough is the natural home of time and therefore this sculpture would be a great symbolic representation of this. Also, Aluna would become a major iconic symbol and visitor attraction as well as provide a regeneration stimulus for our residents.
The design of Aluna is at the same time both monumental in scale and yet refined and sophisticated in its shape. As the Leader of an Olympic host borough, I also feel that the shape of the rings of Aluna seem to shadow the rings of the Olympic rings symbol whilst providing a natural amphitheatre in the middle of the structure. Some of our leading cultural institutions have already expressed an interest in animating the internal space of Aluna and the natural and constructed riverside walks of the Greenwich bankside could offer visitors an unbroken route to Aluna."
Bob Harris, Chair of
"The Aluna Project is going to help make valuable connections to existing maritime heritage and the creative arts sectors in east London.
We welcome this initiative and can see it taking its place within the vibrant visitor economy of the fastest growing destination in London."
Cliff Prior CBE, Virginia Quay Resident, London E14
"East India Dock Basin is a special place. The last surviving dock gates of its period, the last wild place on the north bank of the London Thames, full of wildlife, it lies opposite the Dome, at the foot of the Lea Valley Park, and has spectacular views over the loop of the river. It also neighbours the spot from where the original Jamestown settlers sailed to America, and is under the Meridian Laser from the Royal Observatory, as well as being the view for hundreds of thousands of visitors to the O2.
The site calls for a strong work of art that symbolises the locality. Something that locals and visitors alike will be proud and drawn to visit, not just in 4 years time for the Olympics but in 100 years time. Something that will draw the area up and have the world class status that this world class location deserves.
Aluna is that work. This is an area shaped by the river and its tides. The wildlife it harbours only came to being through the lunar tides. To have an art work representing the moon and the tides it creates, powered by the same tides, would be simply right."
Mark Bensted, London Director, British Waterways
"Aluna is a visually stunning and engaging public landmark and open space that will be regarded as one of the nation’s most important and valued national assets. It will make the perfect venue for waterfront celebrations during and beyond London 2012.
London is where and how it is because of the moon and our ability to navigate the sea and tides. Our waterways are, and have always been key to London's future. Industry and transportation, and development of them is often linked to community aspirations and social issues at a local level. Aluna makes these links whilst enhancing and protecting one of the remaining sites of historical maritime importance on the Thames. A catalyst that brings new life to the Leamouth Peninsular and around, Aluna most definitely deserves to succeed.
British Waterways wholeheartedly supports the realisation of Aluna at East India Dock Basin."
Paul Allen FRSA, Development Director, Centre for Alternative Technology
"The Centre for Alternative Technology gives its full support to the Aluna project at the East India Basin. We feel it is an exemplar of what can be achieved in integrated habitat design, prioritising ecology and environment within development, and creatively showing how these can work powerfully together.
The scheme, which will be zero carbon across the whole development, will preserve a rare nature reserve in the heart of London and will draw a world city's attention to the urgency of climate issues. The relationship of the scheme to nature's cycles will be evident through the reserve itself, the tidal-powered clock, the natural materials and living roofs of The Aluna Foundation eco-cultural centre, the renewable energy provided on site, all set around this rare and ecologically complex site.
The opportunities for community benefit and regeneration are also enhanced, by involving local organisations and inhabitants in consultation of the scheme, through to employment, training, education and management of the project in use.
CAT applauds the efforts that have been made to combine zero carbon targets with ecological principles and is pleased to support this exciting project."
Rita Bensley, Chair, Association of Island Communities
"Aluna is a wonderful project. It will bring interest back to the River and will remind people how the river should be used. It will educate the youngsters, bring communities together and allow us to appreciate the similarities between all cultures."
Tim Smit, Co-founder, The Eden Project
"Aluna is exactly the sort of modern work of art that graces a big city stage because it deals with serious issues, connects us with time and tide, is within sight of the world’s most famous place as regards time (Greenwich), and will be instantly recognised around the world for what it is - an elegant, sophisticated yet accessible work which is also - useful."
Jane Clarke, Legacy Director, Business in the Community
"Aluna is a truly inspirational project. It will provide London with a fantastic new visitor attraction that will showcase new technologies, support the community and bring economic benefit to East London. "
> Team
> Sponsors
> Friends
> Credits
