Tunnel 228

I found out about the wonder of Tunnel 228 through Facebook. A friend posted a status saying tickets were on sale, I wondered what he was talking about so I asked and all he gave me was the web address www.tunnel-228.com. I went and visited this site to find a very basic dull and boring website about cleaning tunnels, the whole thing confused me so I clicked on a few links none worked until I clicked the 'Contact Us' link. At this point I was transferred to a fast moving modern website telling me about the tunnels below one of London's major commuting train station Waterloo Station. You should take a look at this website then all what I have just said will make sense. Still at this point not that sure what was going on I found the whole concept very intriguing so I booked my ticket anyway and was sent this through.

I couldn't wait to go it was already an exciting experience and that was only going through the process of booking the ticket. So I arrived with 3 friends yesterday afternoon, not sure what to expect but the whole thing had been kept quiet and not much was reported about it in the press which goes with the underground hidden concpet of the whole installation. To find Tunnel 228 was a mission in itself as it was hidden round the back of the station under the bridges and past the graffiti skateboarding areas. On entering we were approached by people in a terrorist style and wearing balaclava masks who then asked us to put on surgical masks and to wear them all the time we were in the tunnel. It was pitch black and a little unnerving as we descended into the tunnels underground. You could hear the trains rumbling over head and below the lighting was dim. We came across our first installation a small beautifully lit piece of art but you could hear noise from the other tunnels so you carried on. As we turned the corner we came across a cleverly orchestrated installation being interacted with by performers pushing and pulling metal coal carts, walking upside down on the ceiling. A spinning bowl of water by Petroc Sesti, so beautifully lit so it was a moving grey mass which transfixed you. Everywhere was being used so you found yourself going round dark corners to find something small and hidden, or knocking on doors to be greeted by an actor who took you in the room and shut the door behind you only to let you out 10 minutes later after putting you through a testing performance piece. I found a small coffin round a corner and on approaching it I could see small birds pecking their way out. The whole exhibition was intense, partly because of the types of pieces put together but also because of the location. Even when we tried to leave after everything had finished we were told nothing and had to go about finding it ourselves, however when you did the daylight hit you and you were led away through more graffiti tunnels with nice uplifting music.

It was an amazing experience and something I would highly recommend to others, although it is completely booked out for now but back later in the Autumn. The space was found by Kevin Spacey and is hidden away near the theatre 'The Old Vic' which he owns. Kevin Spacey has become very active within art events happening around London and has started many projects which would not normally have got off the ground if he wasn't associated with them. This one was funded by many charitable art organisations and Bloomberg and I think this is due in part to Kevin Spacey and his experience on how the UK art industry works and who to approach successfully. Whatever way it was brought it together I thought it was really inspiring. The group mainly responsible for how things ran were Punch Drunk who have become famous themselves for creating novel art events which are slightly different from what you would normally experience. This is the first work of theirs which I have been to but in the future I will definitely go see something else which they are involved with in. I pass Waterloo Station almost everyday and I didn't realise all those tunnels existed and I haven't been to an art exhibition quite like it. It really proves that 'art' doesn't always have to be in a gallery and sometimes by pushing the boundaries of what we are used to then you can create something quite unique and inspiring from start to finish.