0.1% by Jonathan Baldock

About

London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE showcases a series of contemporary art commissions, responding and bringing fresh perspectives to the site’s archaeological history. Our current installation is 0.1% by Jonathan Baldock. Inspired by the Roman temple of Mithras discovered on this site,  the immersive installation explores myths, gods and rituals, and their influence on our lives.  Baldock’s distinctive sculptural installations are formed from natural materials such as hessian wool, clay, wood and metal. Together they blend colour, texture, scent, sound and humour. Influenced by myth, folklore and paganism, Baldock’s work reimagines queer and working-class histories, uncovering hidden narratives. 0.1% features a forest of hop poles, reflecting Baldock’s deep connection with nature and his family’s Kentish history as hop-gatherers and gardeners. The poles form a maze-like space as they support textile panels, reminiscent of the laundry lines of previous generations. Baldock’s handmade textile panels feature his mother’s favourite flowers along with networks of trees, plants and insects, symbolising family and friendship and celebrating the importance of supportive relationships which are woven together over time. Central to the installation and inspired by the Roman artefacts discovered on the site, is a personal relic of Baldock’s, the remnants of an early clay sculpture he made for his mother. Cast in bronze from a 3D scan, the supersized form completes a monumental Mother Goddess sculpture, contrasting with the male-centric Mithras religion below. “Stories of the past help us to understand the world, and foster connection.” explains Baldock “0.1% refers to the small genetic difference that unites humanity. The installation explores support structures and ideas of family, both biological and chosen, emphasising our interconnectedness and interdependence.”