Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Tom Ambrose

Piccadilly Circus transformed with artwork for Royal Academy takeover

Pedestrians walk over a crossing designed by artist Vanessa Jackson at Piccadilly Circus

(Picture: PA)

The area surrounding Piccadilly Circus has been transformed by artists, with 30 hanging flags and 13 pedestrian crossings in place for the next six weeks.

The Piccadilly Art Takeover is a partnership between the Royal Academy of Arts and Art of London, along with Westminster City Council and the Mayor of London.

It has taken the work of five artists, chosen by the Royal Academy, to bring the amazing art to the streets around the tourist hotspot.

Pedestrians walk over a crossing designed by artist Vanessa Jackson at Piccadilly Circus (PA)

Known as a “gallery without walls”, it is made up of the most art crossing ever to be exhibited in one location in the UK.

The artists behind the colourful transformation are Michael Armitage, Vanessa Jackson, Isaac Julien, Farshid Moussavi and Yinka Shonibare.

Their work will remain on display until August 31 as part of the Art of London summer season, with takeovers of the 780 sqm Piccadilly Lights also set to take place weekly.

Artists (left to right) Michael Armitage, Vanessa Jackson and Issac Julian at Piccadilly Circus (PA)

For the first time, audiences will be able to take part in a special augmented reality 10-screen experience and audio sync via their mobile phones.

The installations site for the Piccadilly Art Takeover are also part of the Let’s Do London campaign, backed by £7m from the Mayor of London, Visit London, Transport for London and the tourism industry.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.