Conrad Shawcross' giant mechanical installation in the Kingsway Tram Subway, Holborn

Conrad Shawcross' giant mechanical installation in the Kingsway Tram Subway, Holborn

Chord by Conrad Shawcross
Kingsway Tram Subway, Southhampton Row, Holborn, London, WC1B 4AP.
8th October - 8th November

Conrad Shawcross has constructed a giant, site specific, mechanical installation in the Kingsway Tram Subway, Holborn. This vast underground tunnel is a remarkable and fascinating survivor of London's tramway heritage which has been closed for public use since 1952.

Chord is Conrad Shawcross most ambitious and complex work to date. Conceived specifically for the long subway, the artist has built two identical rope machines that will weave a thick hawser from 324 spools of coloured string. These vast machines will begin back to back in the centre of the space and then gradually move away from each other slowly down the subway following the old tram tracks. Like two huge spiders, they will slowly weave their rope behind them as they slowly travel through the space over the course of the exhibition.

Shawcross continues to challenge and develop his practice becoming Artist-in-Residence at the Science Museum in September where he will be given access to the Science Museum's peerless collections and expert curators as part of its ongoing centenary programme.

Chord is a Measure commission produced in partnership with Camden Council, Victoria Miro Galley, inholborn and London Transport Museum.

Funded by the Arts Council, Bloomberg, Victoria Miro Gallery and The Henry Moore Foundation.

Tickets must be pre-booked for entry online or in person at the venue.
Tours run from 11am to 6pm every hour on the hour. Visitors will have approx half an hour in the Subway to view the artwork and space. Visitors must arrive 10mins before their booked time and congregate at the meeting point outside Central St Martins College before being taken to the Subway by tour guides.