Page last updated at 11:55 GMT, Friday, August 6 2010

Urban Aquarium by David Booth (2008)

Winchester Road Subway, Chandler's Ford, Hants

Short Listed for Public Realm Award by Sustain Magazine

Acclaimed Eastleigh Artist, David Booth was commissioned in July 2008, as part of an innovative partnership project funded by Hampshire County Council Passenger Transport Group and Eastleigh Borough Council, to improve public access to the bus stops and encourage bus use in the area.  In a series of creative workshops, David explored the design process and created a vision for the subway with pupils and staff at Thornden School.  The resulting work, - ‘Urban Aquarium’, has transformed the space, making it more vibrant and safe to use.   

Further students were involved in the project through urban street dance workshops in Nov 2008.  20 boys worked with leading dance choreographer, Junior Jones, to prepare a piece for the opening.  The unsuspecting guests attending the opening ceremony of the subway came face to face with the young people that will be most affected by it.  The technique of ‘invisible theatre’ was employed to show how both the adults and the younger generations will be positively affected by this project and more importantly how they have the ability to inspire each other and work together to create a better environment in the future.

For more information contact Joanne Calcutt

Tel: 023 8068 8822 or email: joanne.calcutt@eastleigh.gov.uk

Photographs by Tom Sloan