Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”.
Bhutan • 11 days, 10 nights
Festivals & Temples of Bhutan
from
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The sign declares this the number-one gumbo shop in town.
Gumbo Hut Shioya
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The truth is out there—somewhere.
The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)
18 days ago
Edward Payson Weston
How the 6-Day Race Became an American Spectator Obsession
19 days ago
Alresford Spy Toilet
This Public Bathroom in a Sleepy English Village Was an Epicenter for Cold War Espionage
22 days ago
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery
23 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England London The 'Scribble'

The 'Scribble'

A giant scrawl on the skyline of south London.

London, England

Added By
AmunyAnkhesenra
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
“Scribble.”   AmunyAnkhesenra / Atlas Obscura User
“Scribble.”   AmunyAnkhesenra / Atlas Obscura User
“Scribble.”   AmunyAnkhesenra / Atlas Obscura User
The Scribble of Goldsmiths College.   AmunyAnkhesenra / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Goldsmiths, University of London in southeast London was founded in 1891 by the City of London’s Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, who intended for the school to teach technical skills to men and women of the industrial and artisan classes. Nowadays, as part of the University of London in the New Cross neighborhood of South London, it is better known for its contributions to the arts, design, and social sciences including the United Kingdom's pioneering art psychotherapy department, boasting many illustrious alumni.

The year 2005 saw the opening of the Ben Pimlott Building, filled with new teaching space and studios for the university's Department of Art. Designed by British architect Will Alsop, most of the building favors function over form—it is a metal and glass structure, with a fully glazed northern elevation to allow in plenty of light for students at work.

The exception to this practical approach is a nearly 30-foot-tall steel "scribble" perched on the roof terrace. Composed of 229 separate pieces of metal, the sculpture weighs in at nearly 30 tons. If it was stretched out, it would come to 1,750 feet in length, considerably taller than London’s tallest building, the Shard. At night, the building is illuminated with industrial lights, the presence of the scribble sculpture casting a host of unique shadows.

The sculpture has become a symbol of the modern Goldsmiths, with the Ben Pimlott Building being the first stage in a scheme to help with the revival of New Cross, which had struggled since London’s decline as a major port and manufacturing center. The Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art recently opened in the shadow of the Ben Pimlott Building. The scribble certainly adds a touch of humour to the skyline, hopefully lifting the spirits of those who pass by, and perhaps echoing the designs of the artists in training working within.

Related Tags

Sculptures Universities Art Colleges

Know Before You Go

The sculpture is part of the Ben Pimlott Building at Goldsmiths, University of London and can be easily seen from around the area. It overlooks the new Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art

Community Contributors

Added By

AmunyAnkhesenra

Edited By

DWL, SEANETTA

  • DWL
  • SEANETTA

Published

June 25, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://goldsmithscca.art
The 'Scribble'
London, England, SE14 6NH
United Kingdom
51.474674, -0.037739
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Deptford Anchor

London, England

miles away

Evelyn’s Mulberry

London, England

miles away

St. Nicholas Church Memento Mori

London, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of London

London

England

Places 549
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Deptford Anchor

London, England

miles away

Evelyn’s Mulberry

London, England

miles away

St. Nicholas Church Memento Mori

London, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of London

London

England

Places 549
Stories 110

Related Places

  • A close-up of the sculpture.

    Montreal, Québec

    'Di-Octo II'

    This mesmerizing kinetic sculpture blossoms endlessly in the breeze.

  • Espacio Escultórico.

    Mexico City, Mexico

    Espacio Escultórico (Sculptural Space)

    A series of abstract sculptures pop up from an otherworldly volcanic landscape.

  • Chicago, Illinois

    Concrete Traffic

    An actual 1957 Cadillac De Ville, encased in 15 cubic yards of concrete.

  • Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.

    University Park, Illinois

    Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park

    A sprawling outdoor museum filled with larger-than-life works of art.

  • Larger than life numbers outside the math and engineering buildings at The Ohio State University.

    Columbus, Ohio

    Garden of Constants

    This whimsical campus lawn is dotted with large sculpted numbers and hidden mathematical formulas.

  • Le Clitoris.

    Poitiers, France

    Le Clitoris

    This anatomical sculpture raises awareness about violence against women and promotes gender equality.

  • The Underground House.

    San Luis Obispo, California

    Poly Canyon - Experimental Structures Lab

    A deserted hodgepodge of experimental structures designed by nearby university students.

  • Rock Rings.

    Bellingham, Washington

    Rock Rings

    The cardinal directions, set in stone.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.