ART CITIES:London-Sculpture in the City

For its 5th year “Sculpture in the City”, aims to enhance the urban environment in and around the Square Mile, with works from contemporary artists. The art-works are sited in both busy and green spaces, providing amongst London’s iconic architectural landmarks the opportunity to engage new audiences with established and emerging contemporary artists.

By Dimitris Lempesis

“Sculpture in the City” started 2011 and is collaboration between the City of London Corporation, local businesses and the art world. Set amongst London’s iconic architectural landmarks, such as the Gherkin by Norman Foster and the Lloyd’s building by Richard Rogers, this open air exhibition draws visitors into the City transforming the EC3 insurance area. This year a total of 15 works are set to transform the area. 14 of them are already installed and an additional work by Ai WeiWei will be installed in September to coincide with the Royal Academy’s retrospective exhibition of the artist’s work. The Historic Leadenhall Market is used as a dramatic backdrop, where Adam Chodzko’s “Ghost”, a 22 foot wooden kayak, is suspended from the ceiling of the Victorian structure. The view of Damien Hirst’s monumental “Charity”, is one of the artist’s most iconic pieces representing charity and disability. It depicts a little girl, standing almost seven meters tall, wrapped in metal leg braces clutching her teddy bear and a collection box that reads “Please give generously”, is framed by St. Helen’s Church and Gherkin, the Japanese artist Tomoaki Suzuki’s miniature figures, modeled after real Londoners, populate the Gherkin plaza. Two works by Kris Martin are on show this year “Bells II” is displayed for the first time on the corner of Bishopsgate and Wormwood Street and “Altar” on New York City’s The High Line. The exhibition includes works from: Ekkehard Altenburger, Bruce Beasley, Adam Chodzko, Laura Ford, Damien Hirst, Shan Hur, Folkert de Jong, Sigalit Landau, Kris Martin, Keita Miyazaki, Tomoaki Suzuki, Xavier Veilhan and Ai Weiwei.

 

Info: Sculpture in the City, Square Mile (City of London), London, Duration: 9/7/15-6/16, www.cityoflondon.gov.uk