Secret Rivers: Exploring the Hidden History of London’s Waterways
Secret Rivers is a captivating exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands that combines art and archaeology to uncover the mysteries of London’s rivers—both those flowing above ground and those buried beneath the city’s streets. Featuring mudlarking, photography, film, and more, the exhibition delves into how the Thames and its tributaries, such as the Effra, Fleet, Neckinger, Lea, Tyburn, Walbrook, Wandle, and Westbourne, have shaped London’s history and culture.
The Experience
The Secret Rivers exhibition tells the story of London’s rivers and their impact on the city and its people. It explores their historical use for transport and industry, their influence on art and literature, and their role in the daily lives of Londoners. The exhibition uses a range of media and interactive displays to bring this story to life, providing visitors with a unique perspective on London’s relationship with its waterways.
Our Contribution
We were engaged by the Museum of London Docklands and Sarner to provide our expertise in several key areas of the exhibition:
- Lighting Design: We designed the lighting for the entire Secret Rivers temporary exhibition, ensuring that each display and artefact was presented in the best possible light, enhancing the atmosphere and storytelling of the exhibit.
- Scenic and AV Integration: We worked closely with the exhibit designer to establish best practices for building scenic elements that could seamlessly integrate the audio-visual equipment required by the museum. Our goal was to ensure that the technology enhanced the visitor experience without distracting from the historical narrative.
- Digital Video Content Creation: Our team created specialised digital video content depicting water, adding a dynamic visual element that evoked the presence of the hidden rivers.
- Specialised Audio Design: We were also asked to develop a unique audio design for the medieval toilet section of the exhibition, adding an engaging and immersive sensory layer to this part of the exhibit.
Bringing London’s Waterways to Life
The Secret Rivers exhibition is a testament to London’s rich history with its waterways, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of how these rivers have shaped and been shaped by the city. Our contribution ensured that the lighting, scenic integration, and multimedia elements worked together seamlessly to create a captivating and informative experience.
We are proud to have partnered with Sarner and the Museum of London Docklands to help bring this exhibition to life, using our expertise in lighting, AV integration, and multimedia design to tell the fascinating story of London’s hidden rivers.