8-11 January 2026
Around 1,500 Concrete ‘WHEN?’ and ‘WHY?’ Tiles Appear on London’s Thames Foreshore
“I Have Only Two Questions”
is a new work by the street artist 742
I Have Only Two Questions
On the South Bank of the Thames, people have begun discovering small concrete tiles stamped with the words “WHEN?” and “WHY?”.
“I Have Only Two Questions” is a new work by the anonymous street artist 742, who has placed around 1,500 palm-sized concrete tiles on Bankside Beach, between the Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge.
The work invites open, informal interaction and will be accessible during low tides from 8 to 11 January 2026. Every object is handmade and signed by the artist.
Thu 8 January, 10am–1pm
Fri 9 January, 10am–1pm
Sat 10 January, 10am–1pm
Sun 11 January, 10am–1pm
*All times approximate
Tide Table
Each object is handmade: the WHEN? / WHY? concrete tiles in preparation. I Have Only Two Questions, 2026. © 742
“I often watch people searching the riverbank for artefacts or souvenirs, objects to take away as memories. This kind of searching doesn’t necessarily imply a result; it’s always a process, a way of being. At some point, I began to wonder what would happen if, instead of objects, people started finding something abstract, for example, questions.
We live in a world where, on the one hand, there is access to an enormous amount of information, often just “junk”. On the other hand, we exist in a state of not knowing and uncertainty, facing distressing and unjust events every day, for which there are no simple explanations. As a result, more and more questions and doubts appear.
The words WHEN and WHY were chosen deliberately. For me, WHEN is about survival; WHY comes later, when reflection begins.
“I Have Only Two Questions” is about each person’s individual experience. It was important to me that it didn’t sound like an interrogation, a demand, or a slogan. That’s why the tiles are small and unobtrusive, preserving the element of chance in the search: you may find them, or you may not notice them at all. Everyone decides how to interact with them: walk past, take one, or leave it where it is. After all, we’ve accumulated many questions, and they will be different for each of us,” the artist comments.
WHEN? / WHY? tiles on Bankside Beach (South Bank of the Thames), London, 2026. ©742
Who is 742?
742 is an anonymous street artist working with temporary interventions in public space. 742 explores themes of memory and collective experience, with the site itself functioning as a carrier of meaning and an inseparable part of the work.
The artist has realised large-scale projects in London and beyond, including the 60-metre mural “Poetry of Numbers. A Hundred Years in the Shadow of War”, created on the Thames foreshore in Tilbury. In 2025, the artist also presented the large-scale textile installation “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”, installed across the former RAF Greenham Common site.
Bankside Beach
FAQ
Where is the work located?
On Bankside Beach on London’s Thames foreshore, between Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge.
When can it be seen?
The work is visible during daytime (recommended) low tides from 8–11 January 2026. Please see the tide times on this page.
Thu 8 January, 10am–1pm
Fri 9 January, 10am–1pm
Sat 10 January, 10am–1pm
Sun 11 January, 10am–1pm
*All times approximate Tide Table
Is it free to visit?
Yes. This is an outdoor public artwork in an open public space.
Do I need a ticket or booking?
No booking is required. Visitors can come during the low tide window.
Can I take a tile?
Yes. The work is designed for open, informal interaction, and you are welcome to take a tile with you.
Is it safe to access the foreshore?
Please take care. The foreshore can be slippery and muddy, and conditions change quickly with the tide. Wear suitable footwear and check local tide conditions before visiting.