As part of Thames Festival this September, visitors are invited to experience Turning the Tide, a powerful site-specific film installation by Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass, through a series of special guided tours along the Thames.
Projected onto the striking red columns of the disused Blackfriars Railway Bridge, the installation brings new life to the bridge's historic "ghost" pillars, the remnants of the original railway crossing. Against the backdrop of the river after dark, Yass's work transforms this landmark into a moving celebration of visibility, identity and belonging.
Created in partnership with disabled-led theatre company Graeae and Thames Festival Trust, the installation celebrates and makes visible D/deaf and disabled people who are often marginalised in public space.
Turning the Tide Walking Tours
Thursday 17 September and Saturday 19 September, 8pm
Hosted by an official City of London Guide, these special evening walks offer a unique opportunity to experience the installation at its most atmospheric. Along the route, you'll also encounter several of the bridges that form part of the Illuminated River artwork, revealing how light, architecture and the Thames come together after sunset.
Turning the Tide Boat Tour
Saturday 19 September
For a different perspective, join a boat tour along the Thames and experience Turning the Tide from the river itself with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. Passing by Blackfriars Railway Bridge, you'll enjoy a unique view of Yass's projections illuminating the bridge's majestic columns, while taking in the wider Illuminated River artwork from the water. The journey offers a memorable opportunity to see London's riverside landmarks transformed after dark.