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★★★★
From Tuesday 30th January to Saturday 3rd February, installation artists Luxmuralis are presenting their son-et-lumière production ‘Life’ at the iconic St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square. Having walked past the venue numerous times on route to theatres and recently seen Luxmuralis’ Renaissance as part of the Canterbury Festival, I jumped at the chance to see the digital artists exhibit in the heart of theatreland. Last night I headed into the city for the evening to experience the show for myself and see the landmark building lit up in captivating colours and patterns.
Lighting up Trafalgar Square with the wonders of planet earth
With entry slots from 5:30 – 9:45pm, the creatives have transformed the exterior and interior of the historic church, bringing vast displays of moving images and compelling sounds to the streets of London. Centred on the theme of life on earth, the engaging work covers the elements, landscapes and wildlife, taking visitors on a journey through the natural world.
Despite featuring vivid imagery, the overall theming is subtle and understated. It is easy to get swept away in the beauty of it all and end up almost hypnotised by the patterns and musical compositions. Whilst visually breathtaking, what it lacks in fluid theming compared to other Luxmuralis productions, it makes up for in the climatic 15-minute celebration of planet earth at the end.
Scale and structure
Life has been created on a smaller scale than my previous experiences of the company’s work, with three distinct areas hosting Peter Walker’s iconic projections and David Harper’s moving soundscapes. The show starts in the courtyard outside with animated patterns and forms almost dancing across the surrounding buildings.
Inside, the regular lighting has been lowered to pave the way for an enigmatic walk into the Crypt, with dramatic shadows enhancing the work. This leads onto the final segment in the main church space, where visitors can sit for a longer period and marvel at the depiction of weather and wildlife. It is here where the work really comes into its own, but please be mindful that the lightning sections can involve stark flashing and may be uncomfortable for visitors that are sensitive to intense lighting.
Overall thoughts
Spending an hour at the venue for Life, I really enjoyed seeing Luxmuralis’ immersive art in a new space. The final, seated section was a highlight, with its visually charming and spellbinding tributes to wildlife.
Aside from the commitment to the theming, my only comment would be that the overall experience feels ever so slightly disjointed with the separate areas. I would love to have seen the projections extend beyond the three locations, with light helping to guide visitors between the displays.
Experience Life in London this weekend
With just two days left to experience this enchanting interpretation of planet earth, tickets for the last remaining entry times can be purchased via the venue’s website. At £12.00 for a premium slot, why not combine a visit to Life by Luxmuralis with a trip to a nearby theatre. With so many shows nearby, it could be the start of an inspiring evening of the arts. Trafalgar Square is such an exciting location to witness the artists’ unrivalled creativity.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for Life was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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