Variable Matter
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The Rising Sun

Romford in a whole new light

The Rising Sun enveloped visitors in an evolving landscape of haze, light, and sound – shifting over time to reflect the rhythms of the day. Created in collaboration with local people and communities, the installation celebrated the voices of 100 individuals from Havering, mapping their histories and imagined futures.

Externally, the structure echoed the familiar form of a public house, a meeting place steeped in collective memory. Inside, an atmospheric glow followed the movement of the sun, shaping a contemplative space filled with warmth and hope.

Community Partners:

Ahava Community, The Bull Pub, Di’s Diamonds, Diamond Geezers (The Harrow Pub), Dicing with Life, The Golden Lion, Havering Asian Social & Welfare Association (HASWA), Havering Council, Hope Café, The Mercury Shopping Centre, Romford Markets, Romford Shopping Hall, YMCA Thames Gateway.

The Rising Sun’s digital archive is an online extension of the 2022 installation that celebrates the voices of nearly 100 residents. This archive presents these personal stories, offering insights into the histories, memories, and aspirations of the local community. Visitors can interact with individual narratives, providing a rich tapestry of the borough’s evolving cultural landscape

therisingsun.variablematter.com

Production Credits

Artist David Shearing
Sound Design & Composition James Bulley
Community Producer Veionella Spaine
Executive Producers Laura Sweeney & Ash Bowmott
Production Manager Ryszard Lewandowski (KitMapper)
Technical Manager Ed Borgnis
Website & Brand Identity Rabbit Hole
Dramaturge Emma Purvis
Press & PR Diana Whitehead (Fourth Wall PR)
Architectural Advisor Andreas Skourtis
Photography Hannah Davis
Art Direction Laura Ann Price
Romford BID Julie Frost
Queen's Theatre Hornchurch Mathew Russell
Havering Changing James Jackson
Scenic Artist Charles Edwards
Scenic Artist Camille Etchart