Talk To Me

Header Photos by Daniel Shearing

Talk To Me

by Steuart Padwick with special thanks to project director Natalie Alexopoulos.

A 4 min film produced by Citizen Films

On 13th September we installed two 5.5m sculptures as part of designjunction in support of the charity Time to Change to encourage Londoners to talk about mental health
Londoners were joined by two giant figures, situated in King’s Boulevard, King’s Cross, reminding passers-by that through communication the weight so many of us carry can be reduced.

Photo by Daniel Shearing

As visitors approached the breathing wooden sculptures, a sensor was triggered, and the figures voiced poignant and uplifting words. These conversations started to crack the ‘burden’ to release a glowing light. The series progressed from a standing figure, carrying the burden on its shoulders, to a figure resting against its burden, highlighting that while the burden may not be overtly visible it is often not far away. These words were written and recorded by notable poets, writers, actors and mental health ambassadors.

The voices can all be heard by clicking here.

Talk to Me, is a hopeful piece, designed in Douglas Fir to convey a warmth and humanity in stark contrast to the strict cuboid shapes and ‘concrete’ blocks.

Photo by Dan Paton

Scale was important to convey the power of the subject and again to emphasise the humanity of the voices. HI-MACS, an innovative composite material was used, which had  ‘cracks’ cut into it so that the lighting could seep through and reveal these cracks.

Photo by Daniel Shearing

Once again we teamed up with Time to Change following 2018’s ‘Head Above Water’, a sculpture designed to provoke discussion around mental health discrimination.

The series progresses from the standing figure carrying the burden on their shoulders to the sitting figure resting against it, highlighting that whilst it may not be overtly visible it is often not far away.

Moving to Cody Dock

We are very pleased to announce that these sculptures have now moved to Cody Dock which is London’s newest park in Canning Town on the banks of the river Lea and will be part of The Line an East London sculpture trail.

“Steuart’s designs are both thought provoking and accessible, they have a natural scale and confidence that is sympathetic with the city while they still come across as very human. It is this erudite combination that allows him to deal with serious issues in a way that opens and provokes a conversation that needs to be had around our mental health and wellbeing”, Marcel Baettig, Bow Arts

“These inspirational pieces by Steuart Padwick resonate and are an important reminder of our mental frailty”, Sebastian Conran, Industrial Designer.

“Many of us carry issues and burdens that hold us down and hold us back. For some, these are crippling, and for others they even lead to taking their own lives. These burdens can start so young and appear insurmountable, unresolvable. But so often, communication is the key to unlocking the journey forward”,  Steuart Padwick

“We know that being open about mental health, and being ready to talk and to listen, can change lives. We’re thrilled to be supporting ‘Talk to Me’, which will act as an unmissable reminder of the power of hearing and being heard. You don’t have to be an expert to talk – just being human, empathetic and caring is enough”, Jo Loughran, Director, Time to Change.

“I’m delighted to be working with Steuart Padwick and colleagues again to raise awareness of the importance of talking and social connections in mental health.  ‘Talk to Me’ brings up important issues about how we can support each other simply by being prepared to communicate and to listen”, Sally Marlow PhD, Engagement and Impact Fellow, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience.

A 2.5 min film of the build installation by Jake Pitcher

Talk To Me Collaborators

Voices/Words

Niamh Cusack, Rachel Joyce, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Elliot Barnes-Worrell, Adam Kammerling, Tom Goodman-Hill, Barney Norris, Stevie Basaula, Afolabi Alli, Chris Thorpe, Joelle Taylor, Nigel Cooke, Sévan Stephan, Kirsten Irving, Olly Todd, William Wollen, Beth Maureen Cooke, Azariah France-Williams, Leigh Ballard, Giles Addison, Katie Conibear, Anthony Fernandes, Errol McGlashan, Clive Buckenham, Raga Gibreel, Amy C Wilder, Miroslav Holub, Martha Roberts, Christopher Eccleston, several anonymous.
Miroslav Holub, ‘The door’ trans. Ian Milner (Bloodaxe Books, 2006).

The Sculptures/Build/Supporters

Ramboll – Consulting engineers committed to creating sustainable and long-term solutions.

Hoare Lea – Engineers of human experiences, providing award-winning, specialist solutions to complex engineering and design challenges in the built environment.

Castletech – Quality steel products delivered on time and within budget.

Piveteau Bois – Leading softwood sawmiller.

James Latham – One of the UK’s most recognised suppliers of cutting-edge materials to designers and architects and main UK supplier of HI-MACS®.

HI-MACS® by LG Hausys – Natural stone acrylic widely used in architectural projects, used here for the “concrete” cubes.

Northfleet Site team, FLO (Ferrovial Agroman UK, Laing O’Rourke JV) Tideway Central – working together to reconnect London with the River Thames.

RSE Building Services – Delivering outstanding results on MEP projects. Champions of “Mates In Mind”.

Buckland Timber  – Manufacturers of high quality glulam beams and laminated joinery timber.

We Are Limitless ltd – Designers and Makers of bespoke furniture for private clients and commercial projects. Experts in thermoforming.

Martin by Harman – A world leader in dynamic lighting solutions.

Whites Transport – Specialist Transport Logistics.

DFDS Special Cargo –  Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics provider.

Orlight -A long-standing dominant force within the architectural lighting market.

StudioTech – Specialist architectural LED lighting company.

Traxon – Teaming up with e:cue controls, Traxon’s lighting tubes, dots and façade systems create a dynamic duo for the most advanced indoor and outdoor lighting tasks.

Meyer Sound – A family of sonic solutions.

IoPPN/Kings College – Sally Marlow, Fellow of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London. On going advice and support.

CED Stone – Inspiring beautiful landscapes for over 40 years, CED Stone Group provides the most extensive range of quality natural stone and hard landscaping products on the market.

RNSS – Intelligent sound solutions.

Mode Lighting – provide support in the implementation of lighting controls, LED Drivers and components.

Olympic Studios – One of the most lovely cinemas with public and member’s restaurants, and now part of a small growing group.

Farnell – Electronics components and a comprehensive portfolio of products with global distribution and supply.

Perspex Distribution Ltd – UK’s largest range of Perspex® Acrylic Sheet.

Noiseboys – Award winning AV installations for all venues

Travis Perkins – Builders Merchants.

Triton Systems – Specification and supply of waterproofing and building repair materials.

Fibreglass direct – Online supplier of Fibreglass Raw Materials.

Robert Padwick – General site help.

PJ Fork Trucks – Forklift truck sales and rental.

Algon – Organic Path, Patio & Decking Cleaner.

Sculpture Sponsored by

PEFC – Promote sustainable forest management through independent third party certification.

Armourcoat – Specialist plaster finishes and architectural coatings.

The Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers – One of the medieval Trade Guilds of the City of London.

James Latham – One of the UK’s most recognised suppliers of cutting-edge materials to designers and architects and main UK supplier of HI-MACS®.

France-Douglas – Interprofessional organisation promoting Douglas’s natural resource.

Anglepoise – The lamp with a mind and a body.

The Film

Sponsors

Soho Impact – Empowering the Soho House Community to make positive change.

Kings Cross – one of the most significant urban development projects in the UK.

Crew

Dan Henshaw – Film Director

Alfred Thirolle – Cinematographer

Andrew Hale – Music

Citizen Films – London-based production house, delivering beautifully crafted storytelling.

Executive Producer/ Gretchen Shoring, Producers/ Kelly Ford, Claire Northcott, Tess Gomm, Steadicam Operators/ Torquil Fleming-Boyd & Rafal Rakoczy, 1st ADs/ James Dyer & Laurent Durham, Focus Pullers/ Dan Shoring & George Phull, 2nd ACs/ Matt Lewis & Catharina Scarpellini, Gaffer/ Jeff Celis, Sound Recordist/ Tam Shoring, Production Assistant/ Taran Lehal, Runner/ Harvey Lehal, Editor/ Joseph Henshaw, Colourist/ Richard Fearon, Sound Design/ Richard Spooner. Equipment courtesy of Pro Light London, Shoot Blue, FAVA Rental, Post production courtesy of Trim Editing, Black Kite Studios, Goldcrest Post Production.

Creative / Promotion

designjunction – London’s foremost interior design show.

Hope and Glory PR -Global PR and Marketing.

Daniel Shearing – Architectural Photographer.

Getty Images – Moving the world with images.

The OD Agency – Full service creative design and marketing agency.

Function and Form – Digital solutions designed to better engage your audience.

Tim Cole – Stills photographer.

Virgin Atlantic – Showing our film for 6 months across all flights.

Charities we are supporting

Time To Change – Campaining to rid the stigma of mental illness.

Mates in Mind – Improving your workplace mental health.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust – Providing the widest range of mental health services in the UK.

Mind – Mental health charity.

About Time To Change

We are Time to Change, a growing movement of people changing how we all think and act about mental health problems. Our voice is stronger and louder thanks to funding from the Department of Health and Social Care, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund using National Lottery funding. Our campaign is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, and thousands more organisations have joined us to make change happen. For more information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk

If you are experiencing mental health problems or you need support, you’re not alone, here’s where to go for help:

Samaritans

Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)

www.samaritans.org Email: jo@samaritans.org

Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Mind

Infoline Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm Monday to Friday)

www.mind.org.uk Email: info@mind.org.uk

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Rethink Mental Illness

Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (9.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday)

www.rethink.org Email: info@rethink.org

Rethink helps improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through their network of local groups and services.

Talk To Me Collaborators

The Sculptures/Build/Supporters

Sponsored by

The Film

Creative / Promotion

Charities we are supporting