Sluice

Artist: Lulu Quinn
Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire

Artist Lulu Quinn was commissioned to produce a permanent light installation for Ely Riverside that would contribute to the understanding of the City and its history. Taking as its inspiration, the unique fenland environment and the importance of the water management systems in Ely and the surrounding area, ‘Sluice’ responds to live data from the Environment Agency which is sent to the structure every fifteen minutes from the Denver sluices.

The 3m high, mirror finish stainless steel structure takes the form of a sluice and has video screens on both sides. 'Sluice' shows moving video footage that starts with the sound of gushing water every fifteen minutes as the gates at Denver sluices open. In synchronisation with low water levels, the scenes are quiet and tranquil, yet as the water levels rise the images displayed convey a growing sense of energy, leading to scenes of gushing water at high levels.

The images which portray the different water movements have all been shot along the River Ouse which has played a fundamental role in the City’s history. The video is screened from 6:45am until 8:45am and from 11:00am until 22:00pm each day, and at night the structure comes alive with additional lighting at ground level that changes colour in response to the actual water levels supplied by the Environment Agency.

Alongside the commission, artist Catherine Watling worked with students from Ely Sixth Form and with ADeC on a community involvement programme.

'Sluice' was commissioned by East Cambridgeshire District Council with the support of Commissions East and funding from Arts Council England, East and Ely Perspective.