Academic selected to represent Great Britain at 2024 Cultural Olympiad
Dr Mathew Emmett’s work, 'Polluted Pool', is being shown at an exhibition in France’s Loire Valley from now until mid-August 2024
![Dr Mathew Emmett](https://d3bpgcke55gfwt.cloudfront.net/rails/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBL0h5SlE9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--cb367b46cfda7965ed76295b0695c57c97615e59/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdDRG9MWm05eWJXRjBTU0lJYW5CbkJqb0dSVlE2RkhKbGMybDZaVjkwYjE5c2FXMXBkRnNIYVFKWUFta0NMQUU2Q25OaGRtVnlld2s2RTNOMVluTmhiWEJzWlY5dGIyUmxTU0lIYjI0R093WlVPZ3B6ZEhKcGNGUTZEbWx1ZEdWeWJHRmpaVlE2REhGMVlXeHBkSGxwVUE9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoidmFyaWF0aW9uIn19--42754237235ba1e6f9325deaf83c5a2657141cd3/image01_Mathew_Emmett%20WEB.jpg)
The Olympic Games are celebrated globally as a pinnacle of human potential, epitomising excellence, unity and progress. But witnessing the increasing levels of pollution in our oceans, rivers, and lakes, I was moved to create an audiovisual piece that compels viewers to reflect on their role in this ongoing crisis. For me, using a derelict Olympic swimming pool as the frame for this project demonstrates the stark reality of pollution. It also emphasises that without a sustainable foundation, even our greatest achievements are overshadowed by the damage we inflict on our planet.
Mathew Emmett
Associate Professor in Architecture
“As an architect, I have always been fascinated by derelict structures where human-dominated nature is reversed. That is what I try to show in my work, and being selected for this prestigious exhibition marks a significant personal and professional achievement. It also validates the urgency of tackling environmental challenges through innovative approaches, and underscores the pivotal role of creatives in catalysing societal change.”