Latest News
11.02.08
NEWS RELEASE: NEW PHASE FOR MOON POWERED PUBLIC ART PROJECT
The Aluna Project has received development funding for its realisation on East London's Thames from London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC), the Mayor of London and UK leaders in construction and renewables the Sir Robert McAlpine / Renewable Energy Systems Group. We are now seeking developers and financiers to join them in funding the next stages of the project. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact us at sponsorship@alunatime.org or call the project office +44 (0)20 7683 1138.
"New phase for Moon powered public art project
Sustainable landmark to cast new light on East London
Development of the world's first tidal powered Moon clock moved a step forward this week. The fully sustainable sculpture, which would be made from recycled glass and steel and powered by the Thames tides, has secured funding for the next phase of development - opening up the project to the further private investment needed to make it a reality..."
Click here to read the press statement released today by LTGDC.
Gavin McAlpine of Aluna sponsors Renewable Energy Systems Ltd & Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd said: "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."
Peter Andrews, Chief Executive of LTGDC , commented: "LTGDC is committed to engaging with stakeholders and the local community to drive creativity in the Gateway, not only in terms of infrastructure, but also cultural and educational development to create interesting and vibrant places where people want to live and work....
Innovative initiatives such as Aluna are a good example of the type of creative thinking we are looking for in the area."
Leading London politicians Councillor Denise Jones and Jim Fitzpatrick MP are enthusiastic about Aluna's potential realisation in their East London constituencies:
Denise Jones, Council Leader, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, said: "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 - Poplar & Canning Town London said: "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."
Click here to read what other supporters say about Aluna.
FURTHER NEWS
SUPPORT FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION
We are delighted to announce the Renewable Energy Association are supporting the Aluna Project. Dr Stephanie Merry, Head of Marine at the REA, is working with the Aluna Team to develop the tidal aspect of the project.
"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."
NEW ALUNA CGI IMAGES & HARDWARE / SOFTWARE SPONSORSHIP
We have new images by Aluna's 3D computer visualiser Mark Glean. View them on our What, How and London pages. Mark is currently working on further images and animations so please keep in touch over the coming weeks and months for further viewings!
If you are press and would like high resolution images for printed publications please email us at press@alunatime.org.
The images were also kindly facilitated by sponsorship from Very PC, specialists in bespoke computer systems and award-winning low energy PC's, and Newtek, who provided Aluna with Lightwave 3D modelling software.
HAPPY NEW LUNAR YEAR!
February's new Moon on the 7th signified the start of the new Chinese Lunar Year - the Year of the Rat. The new Moon brings in many new years around the world... January's heralded the start of the Islamic New Year.
If you're already wondering why Easter seems so unusually early this year on 23rd March, it's because Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full Moon after the vernal (spring) equinox - 20th March. This year the full Moon occurs the following day, on the 21st. It not only celebrates Good Friday, but also the Hindu festival of Holi, Magha Puja (Buddhist) and Purim (Jewish) festivals. Culturally a most auspicious day!
FEBRUARY'S FULL MOON TOTALLY ECLIPSED BY THE EARTH
The Earth, Moon and Sun once again line up magnificently to create a total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the night of Wednesday, February 20/21, 2008. The entire event is visible from South America and most of North America (on Feb. 20) as well as Western Europe, Africa, and western Asia (on Feb. 21). The Earth's shadow will take approximately three and quarter hours to pass over the Moon, with totality occurring around 3am turning the Moon a beautiful red colour.
For more information visit http://SunEarth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html.
Thank you for your continued support and we'll be in touch again with more developments soon.
26.10.07 - Full Moon
Firstly our apologies for the many moons' silence since our last update. We have been working hard on getting Aluna to its next stage of development in London. With this Full Moon we bring you a brief update to let you know that all is well and the project is very much alive and gathering pace. We are still very much on target for a lunar Olympics in 2012!
We have mainly been focussing on securing development funding so we can begin our detailed scoping studies early next year. We have already secured a significant part of this funding and are presently negotiating with various potential sponsors for the rest. Our Design Team is currently sketching out how Aluna can be positioned at East India Dock Basin London E14 (our preferred site at present) and we are in talks with heritage advisors, local authorities, quantity surveyors, LED manufacturers and tidal turbine developers to name but a few.
THE ALUNA FOUNDATION
Aluna Limited, the not-for-profit organisation behind Aluna, is now in the process of establishing The Aluna Foundation which will underpin the project's social, environmental and educational goals. Honorary Patrons include Deputy Mayor of London Nicky Gavron and Sir Terry Farrell.
SPONSORSHIP
Enormous thanks to the organisations and individuals who have enabled us to continue promoting and developing Aluna during the last few months with such good progress. Seed funding from Docklands Light Railway and sponsorship from Apple Colour enabled us to produce a fundraising brochure. There are not many printers around who will print using vegetable-based inks on 100% recycled paper using renewable energy, and their Bristol-based factory has been optimised to be as environmentally neutral as possible. http://www.applecolour.co.uk/home.html.
As always we will be delighted with any donations via our secure PayPal facility on the website or contact us at sponsorship@alunatime.org or +44 (0)20 7683 1138 for larger offers of sponsorship.
TIDAL ENERGY
The Renewable Energy Association kindly invited Aluna to exhibit free of charge at its Wave and Tidal Technology Symposium - WATTS 2007 - on the Isle of Wight last month. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet tidal developers and get a detailed insight into the marine energy industry. http://www.r-e-a.net for further information.
Tidal Today has invited Laura Williams to present Aluna at the Tidal Energy Summit in London on 28 th -29 th November 2007. http:// www.tidaltoday.com/tidal07
"From the lab to the sea - scaling your tidal project for commercial deployment. Focussing on more than just technology including practical advice to help you plan and implement a successful tidal strategy, tidal project finance - just how can you secure it, negotiating the technical leap, securing a consenting licence, grid connection and developing effective partnerships." Visit http://www.tidaltoday.com/tidal07/programme.shtml to view the programme of expert speakers. Contact Louise Gray today on +44 (0) 207 375 7159 or lgray@tidaltoday.com to find out more.
CHANNEL 4 BIG ART MOB & BIG ART PROJECT
Channel 4's The Big Art Mob has invited Aluna to start a "moblog" for Moon Lovers. As Aluna's story unfolds in London, we are looking to grow a collection images of all things lunar - art, culture, environment, cityscape, maritime history, geology, religion, water ... the Moon has been vital to our blue planet and human cultures around the world since the dawn of time and the subject is immense, diverse and universal. So sign up at http://www.bigartmob.com get snapping with your mobile and send in your pictures from wherever you are to the Moon Lovers group!
Laura Williams recently met with Adam Gee, daddy of Channel 4's Big Art Project. Visit his online blog http://aarkangel.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/art-and-soul-of-london/ where he writes about the meeting.
ALUNA AT THE THAMES FESTIVAL
Aluna was presented by artist Laura Williams at The Mayor of London's Thames Festival at The Green Man Stage next to City Hall. Green Man's organiser Damien Curtis hosted an impressive line-up of speakers and performers including Aluna's endorser Jane Taylor from Positive News, Satish Kumar from Resurgence Magazine, Dr Vandana Shiva, Seize the Day and Baka Beyond.
The Thames Festival occurs every year at the autumn equinox when the Thames Barrier is tested to ensure that it can still withstand the largest spring tides of the year. Not to be confused with the season of spring, spring tides occur twice every month when the Moon, Earth and Sun are in alignment at New Moon and Full Moon causing the biggest range between low and high water levels. Click here to learn more about tides http://www.alunatime.org/html/tides.htm or visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tide.
EXTRA LARGE PERIGEAN TIDES THIS FULL MOON
The changing distance of the Moon during its elliptical orbit around the Earth also affects tidal heights. When the Moon is at perigee - closest to the Earth in its cycle - the range is increased and when it is at apogee - furthest away - the range is reduced. Every 7 ½ lunations, perigee coincides with either a New or Full Moon causing perigean tides with the largest tidal range and potential storm surges. Watch out for this perigean Full Moon (Oct 26 2007) as it rises above the horizon...it is the brightest and largest this year!
THE MOON & GLOBAL CULTURES
Last "month" brought many cultures around the world together. It timed the Islamic festival of Ramadan, Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and the Chinese Autumn Moon Festival . October's crescent Moon signified the breaking of the Ramadan fast with the Festival of Eid, and today's Full Moon is Sharad Purnima, the last Full Moon of the year in Gujarat, coinciding with the end of monsoon harvest and start of sowing of winter crop. Sharad Purnima will now wane towards a New Moon and a New Year celebrated with Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light . This Full Moon is also the last for the ancient Celtic year and brings with it the celebration of Samhain, Oct31st-Nov.3rd, the ancient Celtic New Year.
14/05/07
ALUNA AT THINK 07 - GATEWAY FUTURES SYMPOSIUM
Aluna was extremely well received at the Symposium, with a unanimous panel vote that the project should be realised on the banks of the River Thames in the Thames Gateway in time for London 2012. Good contacts were made and will hopefully result in some help securing development funding.
EVENING STANDARD ARTICLE 02.05.07
Click to download the pdf article that preceded the Think 07 presentation.
BBC RADIO ESSEX 03.05.07
Aluna was also featured on BBC Radio Essex Drivetime.
Read Aluna's latest press statement.
SEED FUNDING NEEDED TO FUEL NEXT STAGE OF LUNAR LAUNCH IN LONDON!
In order to keep developments on track for realisation by 2012, Aluna's team need to raise the first £250,000 of development funding by the end of July 2007...that's only 10 weeks away! We have some amazing people advising us but we have NO resources to really be able to focus on this immense but very achievable target. We are looking to raise £35,000 seed funding so we can leave our day jobs and get on with the task in hand. If you are interested in becoming a Founding Sponsor and enabling a future world heritage site to flourish in London, please get in touch with us by either emailing sponsorship@alunatime.org or calling the project office +44 (0)20 7683 1138...we look forward to hearing from you!
Watch out for the New Crescent Moon this Thursday / Friday...check out www.crescentmoonwatch.org and log your results.
30.04.07
ALUNA AT THINK 07 - SECOND GATEWAY FUTURES SYMPOSIUM 1-3 MAY 2007, EXCEL LONDON
Aluna is being featured at the 2nd Gateway Futures Symposium for architects, researchers and design practitioners organised by London Thames Gateway Development Corporation at ExCel London this Thursday 3rd May at 10.50am. The symposium is part of the THINK 07 sustainability show.
Entry to this event is free, but you will need to contact London Thames Gateway Development Corporation to register your name. Call 020 7517 4730 or visit http://www.ltgdc.org.uk/contactus/
SPECIALIST CULTURAL ADVISORS JOIN THE TEAM
Aluna has recently been joined by two of the UK's most highly regarded cultural advisors:
David Powell , Creative & Cultural Advisor to Thames Gateway London Partnership, developing the East London cultural offer to the Olympics and cultural masterplanning the Thames Gateway.
John Newbigin, strategy consultant and cultural entrepreneur with a client-list that includes the UK Film Council, Arts Council of England, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport Rt Hon Chris Smith, MP, Rt Hon Neil Kinnock, MP and Channel 4 Television.
David and John are working with us to help raise £250k development funds in order for the project to move ahead to detailed design and site feasibility studies in London. If Aluna is to stay on target for realisation on London's River Thames by 2012 this funding needs to be secured by end July 2007...
URGENT FUNDING REQUIRED!
End July 2007 is only 3 months away! Please help us to raise £250,000 by telling organisations and individuals who might be interested in sponsoring Aluna and making this project a reality in London, 'Home of Time'. We also welcome all sizes of donation...if you would like to be a part of Aluna, you can donate securely and become a Friend of Aluna. Alternatively you can contact us by emailing sponsorship@alunatime.org or calling +44 (0)20 7683 1138.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Visit our London page or feedback page to register on the mailing list.
FULL MOON ON WEDNESDAY 2 MAY
Wesak is the most important of the Buddhist festivals, showing respect to the Buddha for his life and teachings. It celebrates the Buddha's birthday with colour and gaiety, special lanterns, large ceremonial releases of caged birds and 'Bathing the Buddha' with water.
03.04.07
ALUNA - A BIG IDEA FOR LONDON
Thank you to all who made it to see Aluna presented at the 3 Big Ideas for London event at the Hayward Gallery on March 7th. Our thanks also go to South Bank Centre for providing the time and place, and Aluna sponsors Docklands Light Railway for facilitating our participation at the event.
The Aluna presentation was extremely well received by around 150 people. The majority of the audience went on to attend the Aluna workshop, to hear inspiring presentations by the key speakers Sir Terry Farrell, Jay Griffiths, David Rooney, Dr Usama Hasan and Alan Ereira. During the final plenary, a unanimous audience vote supported the development of Aluna as a Thameside landmark
for London 2012.
MOON-POWERED HOMES IN LONDON!
Particular enthusiasm was shown for Aluna’s vision to generate enough tidal energy not only for itself, but also for a visitor centre and around 200 homes. This will make Aluna the first arts project of its kind in the world – generating its revenue by producing renewable energy from the moon to keep lights on in London! To further Aluna’s message for environmentally sustainable communities, the project will initiate community involvement with surrounding homes, schools and businesses recycling their glass to build the landmark.
Download Hayward event pdf update
Download author Jay Griffith's talk (pdf)
Download film-maker Alan Ereira's talk (pdf)
TOWER HAMLETS LONDON E14 OR GREENWICH LONDON SE10?
The Aluna Team are pleased to reveal that Greenwich Council are now competing with Tower Hamlets to host the project on their side of the river. Council officers are researching a number of locations in close proximity to the Meridian.
Councillor Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council says: "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."
SPONSORSHIP & FUNDING
Aluna made several good contacts at the Hayward event, with whom we are now in discussion regarding sponsorship opportunities. This is an immensely exciting time for Aluna with strong support from local authorities and potential sites on both sides of the Thames. Our primary focus now is to raise £225k development funding, which we need to secure by this summer if we are to stay on track for London 2012. If you or your organisation is interested in being part of the Aluna 2012 vision, now is the time to get on board. To contact us regarding sponsorship or donations please email team@alunatime.org or call +44(0)20 7683 1138.
The Aluna Team wishes you a very Happy Easter and Passover, both timed by the first full moon after the vernal equinox!
03.03.07
GREENWICH HOME OF TIME UPS THE STAKES
Greenwich Council Leader Chris Roberts is endorsing Aluna and has confirmed that officers of the council are researching a number of locations to be investigated as potential sites to host the Project on the south bank of the River Thames, near to the Meridian.
ALUNA AT LONDON'S HAYWARD GALLERY
The plan to build Aluna on the River Thames is being backed by the architect and Thames Gateway planner Sir Terry Farrell at the Hayward Gallery on March 7. The proposal to site Aluna, hailed as a 21st century Stonehenge and a beacon of sustainability, in the heart of cash-rich, time-poor London is also supported by the author Jay Griffiths ("Pip Pip - a Sideways Look at Time"), David Rooney Curator of Timekeeping at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, filmmaker Alan Ereira and Islamic astronomer Dr Usama Hasan. The event is part of the Southbank Centre's 100 Ideas series, exploring culture in the 21st century. Call the Hayward's box office for tickets to this free event: 08703 800 400, or visit www.hayward.org.uk.
RECENT LONDON PRESS
Click to download articles by the Waltham Forest Guardian and The Wharf papers.
TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE 3-4 MARCH 2007
The Earth's shadow will completely cover the Moon tonight, turning it red. Totality, the most dramatic phase of a Total Lunar Eclipse, occurs between 22:44 and 23:57 GMT. It will be visible from Europe, Africa, Asia (West of Central China), eastern North America and all of South America. The total duration of the eclipse is approx 6 hours, beginning around 20:18. Lunar eclipses are much slower and more subtle than solar eclipses, their beauty and magic greatly affected by light pollution. Try to go somewhere dark...
http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn11290-moon-to-blush-red-during-total-lunar-eclipse.html
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/070302_ns_eclipse_elsewhere.html
ANTARCTIC ICE STREAMS CONTROLLED BY THE MOON
Paul Simons, The Times February 06, 2007
"Scientists in Antarctica have found striking evidence for the influence of the Moon on large-scale terrestrial phenomena. The Moon, it now appears, influences the movement of ice flowing off the continent's glaciers" click here to read on...
CHINESE YEAR OF GOLDEN PIG
Happy Chinese New year! The New Moon of February 18 th announced the arrival of the lucky year for all those Pigs out there. Celebrations continue until today's Full Moon.
HOLI - FESTIVAL OF COLOUR
One of the most important Hindu Festivals, Holi is celebrated on today's Full Moon. Falling on the Full Moon of the Hindu month of Phalgun, Holi is a spring celebration of liveliness and exhuberance occurring throughout India and Nepal. Revellers shower themselves and everyone else with coloured pigments and water, dancing and drumming wildly.
25/01/07
AT THE SPEED OF TIME: LONG SLOW TIME SYMPOSIUM
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Saturday 27 January 2007
11.00-16.30
Cost: £25/£20
www.nmm.ac.uk
"What is time? What does it mean and how is it measured? Is time long, short, slow or fast? In a world of accelerated speed and increasingly short attention span, discover how contemporary artists are responding by promoting the alternative - slow and long time. Speakers include:
Alexander Rose - Director of the Long Now Foundation
Laura Williams - artist of Aluna
Thomson and Craighead - contemporary artists working with video, sound and electronic networked space
and Aluna's endorser David Rooney - Curator of Timekeeping, Royal Observatory, Greenwich
There are still some spaces, to book now:
Phone: +44 (0)20 8312 8560 (open daily 10.00-17.00)
E-mail: bookings@nmm.ac.uk
TOWER HAMLETS IN SUPPORT OF ALUNA FOR LONDON
London Borough of Tower Hamlets have confirmed they are in support of Aluna being developed for realisation at East India Dock Basin, London E14...should the right funding become available.
Support in London continues to grow as more people find out about Aluna, however we urgently need proper funding and we are still looking for someone in business or philanthropy with the vision and finances to come on board and help get the project off the ground. If you are that person please contact us: sponsorship@alunatime.org.
Please continue to spread the word, sign the London petition and make donations to help keep the project in London. Your support is appreciated!
IS LONDON STILL OPEN TO BIG IDEAS?
Hayward Gallery, South Bank Centre, London
Wednesday 7 March 2007
18.30-21.00
Aluna, Ahh and The London International Festival of Theatre have three big ideas for London and will explore them with the audience who will have a choice of three interactive workshop sessions.
Join Aluna's artist and distinguished endorsers to look at the case for London - 'Home of Time' - to present the world with a timepiece of Universal significance that is more in keeping with the rhythms of our blue planet and inclusive of all cultural expressions of time.
Pay what you can, to reserve a place call the box office 08703 800 400
www.hayward.org.uk, www.rfh.org.uk
A NEW MOON, A NEW YEAR
The new crescent moon of 20th January heralded Al Hijra, Islamic New Year. Find out more about the totally lunar Islamic calendar www.moonsighting.com and the predicting of the new Moon www.crescentmoonwatch.org
Next 'moonth' the new Moon on 18th February will bring in the Chinese Year of the Pig, and March's Moon marks the Hindu New Year.
FOR FURTHER SLOWNESS
Visit www.slowlondon.com, a community of people and ideas... it's all about slow action...not slow motion.
www.slowlab.net - a New York-based laboratory for the advancement of slow design thinking and practice, envisioning environmental sustainability, social harmony and individual well-being as processes and products of good design.
THE MOON & A SWISS PARTICLE PHYSICS RESEARCH LABORATORY
In 1991 CERN managed to measure the particle accelerator's circumference to a tolerance of less than a tenth of a millimetre. Then the researchers discovered something very strange. Twice a day there was a variation of less than one millimetre in circumference of the 27 kilometre long ring. After a while they discovered that it was the moon's gravitation that caused the phenomenon. It turns out that "earth tide" is just as common as ocean tide. Water is just more flexible.
http://www.ntnu.no/gemini/2002-06e/34-35.htm
http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=46046
03/11/06
ALUNA IN THE LONDON PAPER
Aluna was featured in The London Paper on Thursday 26th October. For those of you who did not see it, click here to read the full page article.
Thank you for the great response we have had as a result of this article. Please help us to spread the word by telling your friends, colleagues and family about Aluna and get them to sign the London petition, send in comments and subscribe to the mailing list.
For people in a position to help, we urgently need financial support to keep the project's momentum going, particularly with the exciting developments in London. You can now donate securely via PayPal from our Friends page. Thank you.
24/10/06
LATEST LONDON DEVELOPMENTS
The Aluna project is one step closer to finding a site on the River Thames in London. Aluna's team are working together with the Deputy Mayor of London Nicky Gavron's Office to garner support and funding for the development of Aluna at a site on the River Thames in East London. Visit the London page to find out more and register your support for Aluna in London.
Initial discussions have been held with the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority about the possibility of leasing land at East India Dock Basin. Situating the Moon Clock, which will be a major visitor attraction, in the most culturally diverse borough of London will resonate with the project's aims, and provide a 21st century symbol for the regeneration of East London and the Thames Gateway. Download the latest press release for more information. If you are press please visit our Press page.
Aluna has received the backing of major arts, science and regeneration figures in London including the Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron, the Artistic Director of the South Bank Jude Kelly OBE, Venu Dhupa from SBC's Creative Innovation Unit, the architect and planner Sir Terry Farrell, Director of London Sustainability Exchange Samantha Heath, and the President of the Royal Society Sir Martin Rees. Aluna is also being backed by Docklands Light Railway, which would be the main overland public transport to the site. DLR have kindly contributed further seed funding to help the team continue responding to London developments. Click here to read London's latest endorsements.
DONATE VIA PAYPAL
Aluna urgently needs your support to keep its momentum here in London. Individuals can now donate via PayPal by visiting our Friends page. Your contributions are hugely appreciated and your support will be acknowledged on this web site.
SPONSORSHIP
Aluna has captured the imagination of the public, but we are still waiting for someone in business or philanthropy with the vision and finances to come on board and help get the project off the ground in London. Hailed as the modern day Stonehenge, Aluna presents a unique opportunity to be involved in one of the largest and most ambitious public arts project ever undertaken. If you are that person or organisation and are interested in sponsoring Aluna, please visit our Sponsors page.
LONDON EVENTS
Aluna will feature at a major event on the nature of time at the National Maritime Museum. At the Speed of Time will be taking place on Saturday January 27 th 2007. Aluna will also be showcased at a public art event organised by the Creative Innovation Unit at the South Bank Centre. New Ideas for London will be at the Hayward Gallery in March 2007. Subscribe to our mailing list or keep watching this news page for further information on these events.
NEW AUTOMATED MAILING LIST
Visit the Feedback page and fill in the new form to subscribe to our automated mailing list system. The new system uses PHPList software, and was implemented by IT technicians Jonathan Theodosiou and Nigel Rheam. If you would like to subscribe and express support for Aluna in London, please use our London page. We look forward keeping you up-to-date and won't pass your details on to anyone else.
2006 - A YEAR OF LUNAR EXTREMES!
"2006 is the year of the major standstill of the moon - a once in a nineteen year event in which the moon's range in the sky will never be as great. In June of this year we saw the lowest full moon and highest new moon possible, and in December we will see the highest full moon and lowest new moon. By 2015 the moon's range will have shrunk to another horizon standstill position, but this time when the moon's range is at its minimum - for the minor standstill of the moon.
To understand the properties of lunar standstills we will have to re-learn the knowledge still coded in our ancient monuments. For example, the stone circle at Avebury in Wiltshire had its main alignment on the major standstill and sarsen Stonehenge's is on the minor standstill of the moon. The common property of both of the moon's standstills is that they synchronise the moon's phases with the sun's solstices - there will always be dark moons coinciding with the days either side of the winter and summer solstices, when the unaided eye cannot detect any change in the sun's horizon positions. Contrarily at the midpoint between standstills there will always be full moons coinciding with solstices - but no ancient monument has ever had such an alignment.
For our ancestors it was not the time of the moon's greatest luminosity, but the time of greatest darkness when the most stars filled the night sky that was a time of magical potential. Such a message carries great power and promise to us today. Aluna is a step forward in re-educating ourselves in these rhythms that lie at the root of our being."
Lionel Sims, Anthropology lecturer at the University of East London, September 2006
22/09/06
Today's New Moon marks the event of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Eat some apple dipped in honey to ensure a sweet and fruitful one! The
Moon relates directly to many other cultural festivals around the world.
The next Islamic New Year is heralded by the first sighting of the new
Crescent Moon on January 20th 2007, and the Chinese Year of the Pig falls
on the following New Moon on February 18th.
Full update on the IALD's Aluna tour of the US cities of New York, Boston,
Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco coming shortly.
There are some new links on the links page, including
www.etheco.com, World
of Water www.thehobb.tv/wow
and www.greenspec.co.uk,
three great resources for ethical and environmentally sustainable living
and construction.
04/09/06
ECO-DESIGN DAY ON THE THAMES, EAST LONDON
Aluna will be exhibiting at the Eco-Design Day in London on 16th September,
very near to the site we are looking at as a possible location. This free
event showcases cutting-edge products and ideas from new UK designers
who actively apply principles of environmental, social and economic sustainability
through their work. The event will also help increase the public’s
awareness of issues such as energy efficiency, renewable and sustainable
energy sources and new technological developments in the field of eco-design.
Co-ordinated and curated by innovative young company Fourth
Wall Creations, Trinity Buoy Wharf Eco-Design Day is part of the London
Design Festival and has been approved as an official Energy Day by
the European Commission’s Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign. The
event also coincides with London
Open House Weekend, when guided tours of the Wharf’s buildings,
including the well-known Container City, will be available.
The Eco-Design Day will run from 10am-6pm at Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard
Place, London E14 0JW. Admission will be free of charge. Visit www.fourthwallcreations.com
for more information.
ENDORSEMENT
Jane Taylor Associate Editor Positive
News, has endorsed Aluna: "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."
Visit www.positivenews.org.uk
for the latest on people, events and influences that are helping to create
a more positive future for the world and its people.
22.08.06
ALUNA / IALD USA EVENTS: SEPTEMBER 06
"IALD Presents: The Aluna Project - where enlightenment and illumination
meet"
Please click here to download
ticket and venue details for Laura Williams’ Aluna presentations
on the following dates:
New York City Sept 6th 2006
Boston Sept 7th 2006
Chicago Sept 11th 2006
Los Angeles Sept 13th 2006
San Francisco Sept 14th 2006
These events are kindly being hosted by the International Association of Lighting Designers (www.iald.org).
16.05.06
LONDON SUPPORT CONTINUES TO GROW
Support for Aluna to be realised on the banks of London’s River Thames
in time for London 2012 continues to grow. Deputy
Mayor Nicky Gavron continues to champion Aluna, and is being joined
by other senior government officials, political and cultural leaders to
help progress the project towards feasibility studies.
NEW ENDORSEMENTS
Aluna has gained enthusiastic endorsements
from Jude Kelly OBE, London
Sustainability Exchange’s Director Samantha Heath and 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 and
Publicity Manager, Docklands Light Railway.
DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY: ALUNA’S FIRST LONDON SPONSORS
Docklands Light Railway
have kindly committed seed funding towards development costs and look
forward to supporting Aluna further during the coming months and years
as project partners.
SUPPORT FROM DERBYSHIRE FIRM
Chartered Accountants Walker Sharp & Co from Ashbourne, Derbyshire
have kindly contributed their valuable time and expertise for free. Visit
the sponsors’ page to see who has provided
support to Aluna.
PLEASE DONATE
The Aluna Project is at a critical point in its journey and we are in
urgent need of financial support to enable us to continue responding to
growing interest. Philanthropists and interested organisations…please
consider donating to Aluna and become a vital part of seeing this unprecedented
project come to life. Large or small, all contributions count and your
support will be recognised and hugely appreciated! Please contact Jason
Hollingsworth at sponsorship@alunatime.org
or call the Project Office +44 (0)20 7683 1138.
PAYPAL COMING SOON
To make it easier for you to donate, we are in the process of setting
up a PayPal facility which will be activated on the friends page during
the next couple of days.
ALUNA USA EVENTS
Laura Williams will be giving talks about Aluna in the USA (NYC, Boston,
Chicago, LA & San Francisco) between September 6th – 14th 2006
and Hamburg, Germany on November 8th. More details about these events
hosted by the International
Association of Lighting Designers coming soon.
NEW LINKS
We have added some interesting new links including
a campaign to slow down a world city (www.slowlondon.com)
and an organisation that unites UK and French mud-larkers at the lowest
tide each year…next Low
Tide Festival is this coming New Moon’s spring tide during the
May bank holiday weekend.
31.01.06
Our warmest wishes for a very happy 2006 and Chinese Year of the Dog,
which was signalled by the New Moon two days ago!
One of the UK locations we have been in continued talks with during the
last few months is the capital city of London. We are discussing funding
opportunities and several sites - in close proximity to where the Meridian
crosses the tidal Thames - with government agencies and landowners.
Deputy Mayor of London Nicky Gavron is personally championing Aluna and
is hoping it will find its home in 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…
It is essential to maintain the momentum and turn an excellent concept
into reality on the ground." Click here
to find out what Nicky Gavron has to say.
New Years day saw Wisconsin Public Radio’s Anne Strainchamp interview
Laura Williams about Aluna. "To the Best of Our Knowledge" new
year special was about the way we experience and understand time. Click
here to listen www.wpr.org/book/060101b.html.
Aluna is featured in Ocean Magazine (Volume 3 Issue 9, 2006), Diane Buccheri’s
publication that is dedicated to the celebration and protection of our
world’s oceans. www.oceanmag.org.
Aluna has been gathering significant pace as it finds its way to a suitable
site. However, meeting the resulting increased demands (eg meetings with
government agencies and land owners, funding applications, project management,
administration, writing updates, responding to growing interest) is becoming
difficult and financial resources are extremely low. If you would like
to help support the project please get in touch team@alunatime.org.
If you know individuals or organisations that are looking to support projects
like Aluna, please let them know and point them to our web site. Thank
you! We are a not-for-profit organisation and all donations will be put
directly towards Aluna’s realisation.
We are in the process of setting up an automated email update system so
that we can communicate with you more efficiently and more regularly!
We appreciate your messages of support and would love to hear from you
if we haven’t already. Please click here to
join our growing mailing list, send in your comments, and receive
regular updates in the very near future.
19.10.05
Peter Bennet's Java animation is now uploaded properly, please visit the
Alunatime page to view it. This animation of light
will flow slowly and continuously around Aluna's structure, here it is
roughly 1:14,000 timescale, i.e. 14,000 times faster than it will be in
reality! We are working towards a 3D animation to show Alunatime flowing
around the structure.
24.09.05
We are presently at various stages of negotiation with government agencies
and landowners regarding two exciting UK sites for Aluna. More on these
soon…
Public and site interest in Australia is growing, as a result of Aluna
having been featured as the ‘cherry on the cake’ of a stunning
proposal for East Darling Harbour in Sydney, submitted by Studio
505 and John Warwicker (founder of Tomato). Sadly Studio 505’s
exciting "Astral Point" proposal fell just outside the shortlist,
but their design was chosen for public exhibition alongside the five finalists.
See http://www.eastdarlingharbour.com/
for more on East Darling Harbour. If you wish to support Aluna in Australia
or New Zealand please email Rob Gell, ragell@accessenvironmental.com.au.
Deputy Mayor of London Nicky Gavron is endorsing the project, and is
enthusiastic to find a suitable location for Aluna on the banks of the
River Thames.
Computer artist and programmer Peter Bennett has very kindly translated
Alunatime into a Java animation, please visit the Alunatime
page to view it.
We survived Glastonbury and the flash floods! Pictures and update coming shortly.
Back in March 05 broadcaster and Moon enthusiast Leslie Botha interviewed
artist Laura Williams about Aluna on her internet radio show at www.ladybuglive.com.
Aluna was also featured in Professional Lighting Design China and Light
Magazine UK. Laura and Mo Gibson from Halo Engineers presented Aluna to
the International Association
of Lighting Designers in London and Edinburgh in April/May.
Many thanks for your continued support and enthusiasm! We have been receiving
huge interest from people all around the globe, from many walks of life.
Surely a testament to the Moon relating to us all, from whichever angle
we might view it from? Please keep in touch and we look forward to bringing
you good news about Aluna’s progress very soon.
25.07.05
Newsweek Editor Christopher Dickey's report on the movement to slow down
and reconnect: "Turning to 'God's Time'", using Aluna and The
Long Now Foundation as example projects.
newsweek_250705.pdf
16.06.05
Sorry for the long gap between updates! We have been extremely busy preparing
and submitting funding applications as well as preparing for the first
public lighting installation of Alunatime at this year's Glastonbury Festival.
Please click
here to download press release.
We have received significant sponsorship for our Glastonbury installation,
including solar power from Genasys Power Systems, LEDs from Lumiled &
Luxeon, organic and fairtrade refreshments from EcoMama and Essential,
T-shirts and financial support from Fifth Column Ltd, work space from
Project 142, financial support from University of East London and the
Co-operative Group. We have had immense contributions of time, effort
and creativity from various individuals to make this happen. Come and
join us at Green Futures if you are attending the festival!
Site interest in Scarborough and Blyth led to interviews on BBC Radio
York and Newcastle drivetimes on April 6th, and an article in the Newcastle
Journal. Other site interest has been developing in Scotland, London,
Melbourne and Sydney. Please watch this space, once we've returned from
Glastonbury we will continue exploring the possible sites for Aluna.
A number of additional endorsers have joined the fold including:
Dr Usama Hasan, Muslim Council of Britain: "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."
Carl Honoré, author of best seller "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."
Alan Ereira, film-maker "From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers'
Warning": "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.
14.03.05
"A big idea in art and science" - Ian Gibson MP talks about
Aluna in the March edition of the BA's Science & Public Affairs magazine.
ian.gibson_theba_march05.pdf
Current site interest in the UK, resulting mainly from the Positive News
article and Ian Gibson's Science & Public Affairs column, includes
London, Scarborough, Dover, Blyth, Liverpool, North Cornwall and most
recently Cardiff. Update on Aluna Southern Hemisphere coming soon.
28.01.05
Aluna Project receives endorsement from
Ian Gibson MP (Chair, House of Commons Select Committee on Science and
Technology).
01.12.04
Aluna is Positive News!…featured in the Winter 04/05 Publication
No 42
positivenews_web_dec04.pdf
positivenews_print_dec04.pdf
www.positivenews.org.uk
11.11.04
Aluna Team present to Ian Gibson MP (Chair, House of Commons Select Committee
on Science and Technology) at Port Cullis House, Westminster.
21.10.04
Munizha Ahmad talks to artist Laura Williams
"…Aluna is so appealing. It can be understood on so many levels
and is as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. It speaks to
various scientific and cultural worldviews, but its effect is immediate
in giving the individual a sense of their place in relation to the universe..."
entheos_21oct04.pdf
www.entheosmagazine.com
Archive News
01.10.04
"What’s happened to Aluna?" The fantastic piece of art
that we have highlighted on this site as a potential replacement for the
Alsop scheme on Mann Island seems to have slipped off the agenda too…"
dl_0ct04.pdf
www.downtownliverpool.org.uk
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09.09.04
"Wirral sets blueprint for revival" Aluna included in list of
regeneration projects being considered by Wirral.
icliverpool_9sep04.pdf
Daily Post & www.icliverpool.co.uk
11.08.04
"Great spaces make great downtowns… Now that we’re back
to square one for 4th Grace, one of the initial proposals was just to
make a great space so check out La Vilette, or why not La Luna: and grab
Wirral’s Aluna moonclock whilst their political mandarins vacillate
[alunatime.org]…
dl_aug04.pdf
www.downtownliverpool.org.uk
02.08.04
"Unique wave sculpture may be lost in red tape"
icwirral_2aug04.pdf
Daily Post & www.icliverpool.co.uk
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23.06.04
"Moon clock on Mersey shores… Work is continuing on finding
money for a feasibility study into Aluna…"
icliverpool_23jun04.pdf
vision_23jun04.pdf
Daily Post Vision Magazine & www.icliverpool.co.uk
14.05.04
"Massive tidal sculpture is poised to light up Mersey"
icliverpool_14may04.pdf
Liverpool Echo, Daily Post & www.icliverpool.co.uk
01.04.04
"Moon Lighting - A huge tidal-powered moonclock, clad in transclucent
glass with next-generation LED's and a stainless-steel substructure, is
set to go beside the River Mersey..."
landscaperev_print_apr04.pdf
Landscape Review
10.03.04
"A Stonehenge of the 21st Century"
wirralglobe_10mar04.pdf
Wirral Globe & www.thisiswirral.co.uk
09.03.04
"A Stonehenge of Glass on the banks of the Mersey"
dailypost_print_09mar04.pdf
icliverpool_9mar04.pdf
"Wirral’s Aluna Module"
livecho_print_09mar04.pdf
Liverpool Echo, Daily Post & www.icliverpool.co.uk
Liverpool Culture Company’s official European Capital of Culture
2008 web site
liverpoolculture_mar04.pdf
www.liverpoolculture.com
15.09.03
Aluna featured in Starkmann Limited's publication "Major Reference
Works" and on the company web site.
pdf coming soon...
www.starkmann.com
Last update: 26.10.07
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