British designer Thomas Heatherwick has rejected claims that he is working on creating a coronavirus memorial following a meeting with representatives of the UK government.
London-based Heatherwick Studio confirmed that the British designer met with the UK government, but has not been commissioned to design a Covid-19 memorial.
Heatherwick “approached in an advisory capacity”
The studio stated that Heatherwick isn’t currently working on the project and was only asked to advise the government on the commemoration.
“Despite recent reporting, we’d like to confirm that Heatherwick Studio isn’t involved in designing a national Covid memorial,” the studio told Dezeen.
“As designers who have experience creating moments of national significance, we were approached in an advisory capacity.”
According to the studio, the meeting was solely “about exploring appropriate ideas” rather than any plans for a memorial.
“Covid has affected us all and finding the best way to commemorate those who lost their lives and those who gave so much to save lives is a huge and serious matter requiring the thoughts of many,” it continued.
“Unlikely that the studio would be the right choice”
British prime minister Boris Johnson has established a UK Commission on Covid Commemoration, to develop ideas and a timeline for a future memorial.
“I also know that communities across our whole country will want to find ways of commemorating what we have all been through,” he said.
“This national endeavour – above party politics – will remember the loved ones we have lost.”
Heatherwick Studio confirmed that there are no plans for the studio to be involved in designing a coronavirus memorial in the future.
When asked whether the studio would consider being involved in the project, the studio replied that “it feels unlikely that the studio would be the right choice”.
Covid memorials are being developed around the world. In Milan, Italian architect Angelo Renna proposed planting 35,000 cypress trees in San Siro stadium, while Latin American architecture firm Gómez Platero designed a circular monument to remember the victims.
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