PADDINGTON BASIN

Someone’s pulled the plug! The West London waterway of Paddington Basin, which joins the Regent’s and Grand Junction Canals was recently drained allowing for developers to lay the foundations for a series of new buildings. The draining of the basin provided the perfect comedic opportunity to create a giant art installation that would amuse the surrounding residents of London and bring a smile to passers-by.

Situated in the centre of Paddington Basin’s waterway was a giant plug hole that literally appeared to have been pulled! So, that’s where the water went! This literal visualisation was created out of fibreglass and measured an impressive five metres in diameter. Attached to the plug was a shimmering silver chain that dropped into the basin from a neighbouring building. The drain of an equally ginormous and corresponding size was fabricated in a shining chrome finish.

An amusing and witty take on an event, this installation generated a real talking point; creating a buzz on social media. It even featured in a selection of London’s newspapers as a satirical twist to an otherwise routine draining of the basin! One might think James Glancy holds a fascination with plugs as this is not the only one we are known for in London! Our other plug however is of a slightly different nature and attached to an electrical socket in The Carnaby Estate’s Ganton Street. Appreciated as they both are, we feel it best that these parallel designs do not meet as it’s a well-known fact that electricity and water don’t mix!