If you go wandering around London today, you might come across a slightly sickening sight. That’s because for three days only a ‘Fountain of Filth’ installation has popped up in London. Appearing to promote the new factual drama, ‘Dirty Business’, the display is visible from February 23-25.
The confronting sight features statues of a number of people bent double, posed in the act of throwing up. From their open mouths rushes dirty brown water, which falls into the water around them in the fountain. And perched above them, showing no ill effects, is a stereotypical ‘businessman’, whose pockets and briefcase are overflowing with cash. The contrast shows how business executives profited whilst making decisions that had very real human consequences.
You can find the display at Observation Point, by the OXO Tower.
The ‘Fountain of Filth’
This is not merely a jarring new piece of public art. Instead, it’s designed to raise awareness of Britain’s sewage scandal, which is what ‘Dirty Business’ is about. And the people represented in the ‘Fountain of Filth’ are real people, whose lives have been impacted by exposure to waterways polluted with untreated sewage. These people include “ex-national surfing champion Sophie Hellyer, and prominent outdoor swimming journalist and guide Ella Foote”.
Visitors and passers-by are directed, by a nearby information point, to learn about ‘The Sick Truth Behind Britain’s Sewage Scandal’. A QR code takes visitors to a video (see below) where they can learn about the human effects of untreated sewage being dumped. First-hand stories from those who were affected bring to light the consequences of actions driven by greed, without thought for human life.
‘Dirty Business’
The fountain is part of an advertising campaign for ‘Dirty Business’, a factual drama seeking to raise awareness of the sewage dumping scandal. Channel 4 describes the show:
“The series is based on a decade-long investigation into England’s water companies, and tells the real stories of whistleblowers and victims who believe their lives have been destroyed after encountering sewage polluted water. David Thewlis, Jason Watkins, Asim Chaudhry, Tom McKay and Bafta Rising Star Posy Sterling lead the cast of Dirty Business, which is produced by Partygate creators Halcyon’s Heart.”
‘Dirty Business’ airs on Channel 4 on February 23, 24, and 25, at 9pm.
📍 You can find the ‘Fountain of Filth’ at Observation Point, SE1 9PP. The nearest stations are Waterloo, Waterloo East, and Southwark.