The Economist Building provides the only outdoor public exhibition space in Central London committed to a continuous programme of sculptural works by contemporary artists.

The Contemporary Art Society has been commissioning a regular programme of outdoor sculptural works for the Economist Plaza for over a decade. Programming is designed to reflect the widest possible range of responses to the site, as well as to represent different trends and practices in current art. The programme consists of five to six commissions per year and are intended to showcase the work of young and emergent artists, reflecting the Contemporary Art Society’s expertise in identifying promise and The Economist’s reputation for being ‘ahead of the curve’. The Economist/Contemporary Art Society commissioning programme represents a unique and cutting edge approach to corporate support for the visual arts – a living collection.

For further information, contact Lara Wolfe at lara@contempart.org.uk or on 020 7831 3226.

Contemporary Art Society is pleased to present Searchlight #1 by Tim Knowles at the Economist Plaza, after sunset daily.

Chance plays a crucial part in Tim Knowles’ work, which is generated by apparatus, mechanisms or systems, the output of which is beyond the artist’s control. Much of the work seeks to reveal the hidden motion of objects, be they the full moon’s reflection on undulating water, a parcel travelling through the postal system or the intricate movement of 100 weeping willow branches in the wind. Knowles’ work explores ways of drawing be it with ink, light or other forms.

Light & movement are at the core of Knowles’ work for the Economist Plaza. Searchlight #1 allows the audience to both generate and become the work. As individuals move within the Plaza they are followed by a moving spotlight. They may simply continue on their way as normal, try to escape the circle of light, freeze, or choose to perform in some way.

The piece follows on from Field of Play, a permanent public commission in Millennium Square, Bristol (2006). Comprised of over 10,000 full colour LEDs covering the side of a building, the piece uses CCTV surveillance and video processing technology to create a live interactive light drawing. The public appear as a path of light across the façade as they move around the square, leaving behind them a slowly diminishing vapour trail.

Searchlight #1 encourages people to perform in the spotlight and brings life, mischief & playfulness into the urban space, but also highlights the increasing prevalence of CCTV and surveillance technologies within our society. Searchlight #1 is accompanied by a series of photographic works of illuminated walks.

Tim Knowles has exhibited widely nationally and internationally, recent shows include Jerwood Drawing Prize, London & Touring (2007); Isobar, Fieldgate Gallery London (2007), ARTfutures London (2007); You’ll Never Know, a Hayward Gallery National Touring Exhibition (2006 – 2007), Ma come mia?, Poalo Bonzano Gallery, Rome (2007); Square Root of Drawing,Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin (2007) and Tim Knowles, Rokeby, London (2006).

He is currently collaborating with the Royal Mail on an ambitious series of new works. www.timknowles.com

click here to download the invite and press release (pdf)