The Line unveils Tributaries, a site-specific exhibition exploring water through artists' film

Experience an exhibition of moving images reflecting global water narratives, presented by East London's The Line.

Image: Alberta Whittle, between a whisper and a cry (2019).

The Line, East London's public art trail, has introduced Tributaries, a site-specific exhibition that explores artists' profound responses to water through moving images. The exhibition is situated at the Grade I listed House Mill on Three Mills Island in Bromley-By-Bow, inviting visitors to contemplate our profound relationship with water amidst rising tides. Collaborating with Arup Phase 2, Tributaries showcase features five artist films that critically engage with water, touching upon global histories, trade, colonial legacies, and the pressing climate crisis.

The House Mill, once instrumental in London's flour and gin production during the 18th century, now stands as the world's largest surviving tidal mill, bearing the marks of its encounters with flooding. This rich historical context sets the stage for conversations about our coexistence with water.

Image: The House Mill

The contributing artists—Martha Atienza, Ursula Biemann, Hanna Ljungh, Daniela Medina Poch, Elizabeth Gallón Droste, and Alberta Whittle—bring their unique perspectives to the exhibition, offering diverse insights into water's significance and influence on humanity. Each film thoughtfully weaves narratives that explore the multi-layered complexities of water in our lives, sparking vital discussions about the ways we live with water. A site-specific performance by East London-based artist Helen Cammock will take place at The House Mill on 17 September, in conjunction with the Open House Festival. Cammock's performance promises to reflect upon the building's context and the River Lea flowing beneath.Click here to discover the full line-up of events.

Tributaries invites us to explore the essence of water in our lives and to reflect on our roles as stewards of this vital resource. It amplifies the urgent call to protect and cherish our planet's most precious element.

Image: Hanna Ljungh,How to Civilise a Waterfall (2010).

Tributaries forms part of The Line's ambitious summer program, which also features new commissions by artists like Yinka Ilori, Mahtab Hussain, and Simon Faithfull, solidifying its position as an accessible and engaging platform for art enthusiasts, families, and adventure-seekers alike. With artworks by renowned artists, The Line successfully brings together nature and free art in East London's scenic landscape.

Date: 15 July – 8 October 2023. Time: Thursday – Sunday, 1pm - 5pm. Location: The House Mill, Three Mill Lane, London, E3 3DU. Website: the-line.org