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.

 

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