A Co-Designed, Intergenerational Art Installation by Roopa S Basu | London Design Festival 2023
Layers of Truth: Unveiling Perspectives is a collaborative, community-driven installation conceived by artist and designer Roopa S Basu for the London Design Festival 2023. Commissioned by Wandsworth Council and brought to life through a powerful co-design process with students and tutors from South Thames College, the project reflects the transformative power of collaboration, creativity, and intergenerational storytelling in public art.
Initially intended as a small indoor installation, the project snowballed beautifully. Originally involving only visual arts students, it organically expanded to include sound and performing arts students who were inspired to contribute their own creative responses. As the scope widened, so did the ambition of the project—leading to a major redesign in just a week to accommodate an outdoor public installation at Nine Elms Pavilion.
At the heart of this evolving work was a simple but profound prompt: “What is your truth?” The project began with an appeal to elder members of the community to share insights and reflections drawn from their lived experiences. These heartfelt messages formed the foundation for the installation. Young Art & Design students then responded visually, interpreting these truths through sketches, designs, and final artworks. Meanwhile, Music Performance and Production students used the same texts to create evocative soundscapes and audio collages. The ripple effect continued when performing arts students were moved to develop original pieces in response.
The entire process was underpinned by co-design—from shaping the delivery and schedule with college tutors, to inviting students to explore, interpret, and reshape the narrative of truth. This collaborative approach created a space for multiple disciplines, generations, and identities to come together, each adding a unique layer of meaning. The result was a multi-sensory installation that invited the public to reflect on how truth is shaped by life experience, culture, values, and emotion.
The project celebrates the multi-faceted nature of truth—a mosaic of perspectives in a world where personal, cultural, and digital realities are constantly intersecting. It underscores the importance of dialogue across generations, and how art can serve as a bridge between wisdom and youthful imagination.
The impact of Layers of Truth extended far beyond the festival. Students developed vital real-world skills—from public engagement and collaborative creation to technical production and project delivery. Their involvement was praised by South Thames College lecturers for its professionalism, creativity, and depth, especially under tight deadlines.
As someone who sits on the Creative Industries Employer Advisory Panel at South Thames College, Roopa has been supporting learners since 2019 through employability programmes, masterclasses, and placements. This project reflected her continued commitment to bridging education and professional practice, and its success exemplifies the value of sustained, meaningful engagement with students.
In recognition of the project’s innovative approach and educational impact, Roopa was honoured with the Innovation and Special Projects Award at the South Thames Colleges Group Employer Awards 2024. The ceremony featured a powerful video—produced by the students themselves—showcasing the journey and collaborative spirit behind this landmark project.
