Annie Mole's, webmaster of Going Underground, daily web log (blog).
If you like this you'll LURVE One Stop Short of Barking, THE fun and informative BOOK about travelling on the London Underground.
The ring is made up of Tube line colours with a black background which apparently references "the dominance of darkness as we travel through the tunnels underground."
Eva Rothschild explains her thinking behind the artwork: "The spectrum and colours also hold specific meaning of their own, echoing a life belt, for me this reference seemed appropriate because so many of us, including myself, depend on the Tube, its iconic map and London's huge transport system in order to go about our day-to-day lives."
TfL said "The ring or belt form implies linkage, which can be interpreted into what the Tube essentially does for London.
Rothschild is particularly interested in the way objects have a power over us, especially in relation to religious thought and superstition."
I can understand this. Many of us thank God whenever we don't have to use the Tube or harbour superstitious thoughts about the Jubilee Line only having weekend engineering works when there's a vowel in the month.
Regardless of whether you see the Tube as a life saver or a collection of bright lights in a dark tunnel or a place for "Good Times", you'll be able to pick up the new map in stations from next month.
"The magic, mystery & sometimes maddening shortcomings of London's Tube are documented with love, enthusiasm & sometimes despair by its unofficial social historian." The Guardian
