Bond It's Gripbond PRO used in historic art project

Bond It’s Gripbond PRO advanced hybrid sealant and adhesive has been used in an historic public art project.

PERFUGIUM MISERIS celebrates the maritime heritage of Ramsgate harbour in Kent and has been created by Mooch – a creative practice specialising in public realm art and design.

A Latin phrase, which translates as ‘refuge for those in need’, PERFUGIUM MISERIS is carved into Ramsgate’s Georgian lighthouse which was built in 1842 and is located on the harbour’s west arm.

Mooch has taken the same motto and realised it as 1.2m high by 23m long lettering situated at the high tide mark on the east harbour arm facing out to sea.

This lettering is clad in a special photoluminsecent vinyl. This makes the letters shine brilliantly in full sunlight before giving them a soft glow as daylight fades.

Twice a day, with the changing tides, the letters also disappear below the surface of the waves paying an evocative tribute to the countless lives lost at sea beyond the safety of the harbour walls.

This includes the many victims of the Great Storm of 1703. Widely seen as the only true hurricane to have hit British shores at full force, this storm cost thousands of lives including those of 2169 sailors who perished at nearby Goodwin Sands.

Mooch hopes the project will bring to life Ramsgate’s unique maritime history and also encourage deeper reflection on the nature of a harbour as a beacon and refuge in times of need.

Bond It’s Gripbond PRO was chosen for PERFUGIUM MISERIS because it is high strength, waterproof and available in a transparent formula which minimises its visibility. Gripbond PRO is also highly versatile and can be used for almost any sealing and bonding application.

The Gripbond PRO used was supplied free of charge to Mooch by Bowman BMC. This Ramsgate based supplier of maritime paint and maintenance consumables is a regular supporter of charity initiatives that benefit the local area.

The current PERFUGIUM MISERIS artwork is a temporary piece commissioned by local charity, Ramsgate Arts for their annual arts festival and part-funded by the Arts Council England.

Due to its popularity, fundraising is now underway to make the artwork permanent. As part of this, an auction of the existing temporary lettering was recently held at the Royal Temple Yacht Club in Ramsgate.

Bond It has also made a donation towards the funds needed. Others looking to donate can find out how to do so by visiting www.mooch.co

Speaking of Bond It’s involvement in the project, Kirstie Cooper, marketing manager at the company, said: “Gripbond PRO is part of a growing range of hybrid sealants and adhesives from Bond It based on advanced polymer technology.

“Its use for PERFUGIUM MISERIS provides an unusual but highly effective demonstration of its versatility and performance, even under the most extreme and unusual conditions.”