Tube as 'Life Belt' on new map cover

Is the London Underground a life saver? That's certainly the impression TfL are hoping we get  from the new Tube Map cover.  In circulation from March 2011 it's based on a recent sculpture by Eva Rothschild created in 2009 called - Good Times.


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.

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London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, February 22, 2011 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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