Nightcrawlers: Transport for London launches Free the Night photography exhibition to celebrate 24-hour Tube services

Transport for London is almost as excited about the Tube going 24-hours as we are. 

 

Ahead of the launch – which is still six months away – TfL has put on a photography exhibition at Westminster station that celebrates London's nightlife.

 

Delivered in partnership with Annin Arts Gallery, the exhibition features 24 large scale photographic works – some as big as nine foot-by-six foot – by famous artists including Sir Cecil Beaton, Sam Taylor Johnson OBE, Nick Knight OBE, Juergen Teller, Corinne Day and Rankin.

 

Called “Free the Night”, the works range from a picture of a 1920s ballroom dance to one of rocknroll legend Bruce Springsteen, as well as another showing a Tube worker on his way home. 

 

 

The pictures are arranged in the stations alcoves and will be on show until April 12. 

 

It is the part of a new series of ‘Firsts for the Tube’, which will involve various unique events taking place on and around the Underground network ahead of all-night weekend services that begin on 12 September.

 

 

Annim Arts Gallery director George Annin said:  “A 24 hour Tube is a proud moment for London, reflecting our first steps to truly becoming a 24 hour city. Bringing together some of the most influential photographers of the last century to exhibit within Westminster station is a great way to celebrate this – reflecting on our city’s past, as well as looking with excitement towards its future.

 

“Each photograph captures a different idea of the concept of ‘Free the Night’. The result is a stunning collection of images, some literal, some conceptual – all depicting the many stories that London has to tell – stories that make it one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the world.”

 

Mayor of London Boris Johnson added:  “London is set for another revolution – very soon no one will have to cut a great night out short. The introduction of the night Tube will revolutionise the way in which Londoners and visitors travel in the capital.”