December 2, 2019Imminence 2019: We’re lighting up Bloomberg Arcade in the City of London
London, 5th December, 2019: Join us to see a new public artwork commissioned by Bloomberg Philanthropies, produced by Artichoke and created by artist collective, NOVAK in collaboration with Ed Carter and Hazel Dunn. This immersive installation will illuminate the full length of Bloomberg Arcade in the City of London with shape-shifting projections highlighting the impact of human-led climate change on our planet.
On view until 10th January 2020, Imminence is one of a series of Bloomberg Philanthropies-supported public artworks aiming to inspire climate action in cities around the world. Previous works in London have included Ackroyd & Harvey’s Beuys’ Acorns (July 2019) and Olafur Eliasson’s Ice Watch (December 2019).
Location: Bloomberg Arcade, London, EC4N 8AR
Dates: 5th December 2019 – 10th January 2020
Times: 4pm-11pm GMT, daily
Free to visit, no ticket required.
Follow on social media using #Imminence2019
As world leaders meet in Madrid for the COP25 climate change conference, the light and sound installation will invite the public to experience and reflect on animated scenes depicting the consequences of climate change as they unfold beneath their feet. Issues captured in the vibrant projected landscape and accompanying soundscape will range from deforestation and bee extinction, to coral bleaching and global warming.
Passers-by interact with Imminence, a climate-inspired public artwork at Bloomberg Arcade in the City of London. The work will illuminate the Arcade every evening from 4pm-11pm, until the 10th January. Photo: Wednesday December 4, 2019. Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Wire
An original, synchronised soundtrack produced by composer Ed Carter accompanies projected patterning running in a continuous sequence o create a sense of constant motion and urgency. The score draws on climate and environmental data from 1880 to the present day, combined with recordings from the natural world that reference the changing visual imagery. The music reflects the alarming rates of change observed across climate indicators, including arctic sea ice volume, seasonal monthly temperature, global forest cover, and the decline in UK pollinating insects, among others.
Developed in collaboration with textile artist Hazel Dunn, NOVAK’s work draws on the tradition of textile design as a medium for storytelling, playing with geometric patterns, bold colour and texture. In Imminence, the striking juxtaposition between vibrant aesthetic and sombre subject matter encourages people to look twice and consider the reality of the climate emergency.
“Bloomberg Philanthropies believes in the transformative power of public art and its ability to inspire and engage communities. We hope this collaboration with long-standing Bloomberg Philanthropies partner Artichoke will inspire Londoners to take bolder action to address the climate emergency.”
“Even as we are bombarded with daily messages about the calamity that we are facing, we still find it all too easy to turn away. Art offers us another language that can reach into people’s consciousness with fresh urgency. It is able to surprise and delight and at the same time transform the way people see the world and their role within it.”
“We are honoured to have been commissioned to make this site-specific work addressing the most pressing issue of our age. We hope the visually stunning designs, narrative and soundtrack will resonate strongly with audiences.”
Imminence, a climate-inspired public artwork at Bloomberg Arcade in the City of London. The work will illuminate the Arcade every evening from 4pm-11pm, until the 10th January. Photo: Wednesday December 4, 2019. Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Wire