Giant 20 ft-high immersive, rainbow-coloured Elysian Arcs premiere in the City of London

On Monday 26^th February, a spectacular iridescent art installation will premiere at The Leadenhall Building in the City of London, bringing joy to some of the darker months of the year. Standing at over 20 ft-high, rainbow-coloured arcs will surround a striking cluster of bubbles in a world-first formation created by award-winning design studio, Atelier Sisu.

Elysian Arcs is a free outdoor immersive light and sound installation commissioned by the Eastern City Business Improvement District (EC BID) and produced by FESTIVAL.ORG to help support the mental, physical and environmental wellbeing of workers in the City and across London, as part of the BID’s year-long RECHARGE 2024 campaign. 

Making its debut, Elysian Arcs will be situated at the foot of the iconic Leadenhall Building, affectionately known as The Cheesegrater. The installation will be open for all to experience from 10am-8pm daily until Friday 15^th March.

Sydney-based design studio, Atelier Sisu, is led by the award-winning artists Renzo B. Larriviere and Zara Pasfield who work within the intersection of art and architecture creating large-scale site-specific works that enchant by reinventing spaces. Last year at The Leadenhall Building, the duo premiered Evanescent as part of EC BID’s inaugural RECHARGE 2023 campaign.

This year will see a cluster of the hugely popular Evanescent bubbles enveloped by a collection of ethereal arcs in a never-before-seen formation. The installation will be a striking contrast to the surrounding City architecture and will become even more impressive at dusk with internal lights bringing it to life. The ‘art-chitectural’ sculptures are made from a colour-reflecting dichroic film that reacts to changes in light, causing a rainbow of reflections and a unique picture from every angle. Elysian Arcs will also emit an ambient soundtrack, inviting people to move around and underneath the structures, immersing themselves in the uplifting environment.

Elysian Arcs encourages those of us who find the first few months of the year slightly more difficult to stop, reflect and recharge. This follows a recent survey conducted by Deltapoll and commissioned by EC BID which has revealed a concerning trend about the mental health of young professionals in London, particularly in the months of January and February. As a response to these concerns, EC BID has launched the year-long RECHARGE 2024 campaign to help tackle these issues and make the months a little brighter.

Kate Hart, CEO of the EC BID, said: “Supporting the mental, physical and environmental wellbeing of workers and young people within our Eastern district is a huge priority for us as a Business Improvement District. The Deltapoll survey revealed that 48 per cent of respondents aged 18 to 24 and 49 per cent aged 25 to 34 expressed increased worry during the first two months of the year. These statistics are worrying to read and they are something we just could not ignore.  

“We as a BID recognise the importance of culture within the City and with this insight we will shed some light, quite literally, on the amazing spaces and people within it. Elysian Arcs is a beautiful immersive experience for all ages to enjoy and is an undeniably good reason to visit the area, whether you are a visitor or a worker wanting some time out from a busy day.”

Renzo B. Larriviere and Zara Pasfield of Atelier Sisu, said: “Being able to create an immersive installation for the people of London for a second year in a row is a fantastic opportunity. We are incredibly pleased that this piece of art can go some way in improving people’s mental, physical and environmental wellbeing in the darker months of the year. Elysian is our visualisation of joy. The very word Elysian relates to the characteristics of heaven or paradise, something we hope people will feel from the installation itself.”

Bradley Hemmings MBE, Artistic Director of FESTIVAL.ORG, said: “Elysian Arcs is an entrancing artwork, which we hope will surprise and delight visitors, whilst showcasing the eastern part of the City as not only a financial and historical district, but also as a creative and social hub.

“Presenting free and accessible art in public spaces is at the heart of everything we do at FESTIVAL.ORG and so we are thrilled to be collaborating for the second year running with Atelier Sisu and EC BID to transform the environs of the Leadenhall Building with this playful and uplifting new installation."  

Adam Goldin, Head of C C Land UK, said: “We’re pleased to be able to offer the Leadenhall Building’s public space for yet another exemplar project which enhances the local area while supporting the wellbeing of workers in the city. Through initiatives such as the Elysian Arcs, the City of London has evolved into a live, work, play destination which offers something for everyone.”

After visiting the illuminating Elysian Arcs, workers and visitors can explore what the Eastern part of the City has to offer, dining at one of the many restaurants nearby such as Bob Bob Ricard City and Gaucho, enjoying shopping at Leadenhall Market or taking in breathtaking views at the gorgeous Sky Garden, London’s highest public garden.

For more information, please visit ecbid.co.uk