Recently, a giant installation piece appeared in the garden of the Tate Modern in London. From afar, it looks like a pure white sculpture, but upon closer inspection, it is filled with intricate species of animals. Looking up at it, it’s like a sky full of creatures flying above your head, creating a stunning effect!
This exquisitely dreamy piece is created by the famous British artist and stage designer Es Devlin. If you are familiar with the international fashion industry or Western music, you should be no stranger to this name. She has designed stages for stars such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Adele, Rihanna, and has long-term collaborations with brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel. Whether on the fashion runway or the performance stage, she has left behind many visual aesthetic classics.
However, in addition to being active in the fashion industry, Es Devlin is also very concerned about social and environmental issues. This time, she collaborated with Cartier to bring a luminous installation “Come Home Again” to the garden of the Tate Modern in London. The rounded arch shape of the piece is inspired by St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the artist has painted 243 endangered species from the local biodiversity conservation list on the artwork, including moths, birds, insects, flowers, fish, etc., to advocate for the protection of biodiversity.
Inspired by Es Devlin’s deep foundation in literature, art, and design, this work combines light, music, and textual information. The artist delicately carves various rare animals with a fine pencil. As night falls, the installation emits a soft light, resembling a lighthouse, calling distant animals home. The artist invites the audience to enter this sanctuary and together protect the growth of the animals.
In addition, the artist also arranged for the local choir to sing in this sculpture after nightfall. In this way, human voices intertwine with bird songs and insect calls, creating a beautiful natural symphony. QR codes on the wall guide the audience to learn about the information and stories of each species, prompting them to reflect on the relationship between humans and natural species.
Devlin said, “The project ‘Come Home Again’ aims to raise public awareness of endangered species and emphasize the importance of protecting them. This work invites us to listen again to our homes and cities. As a network of species and cultures, we should learn to remember these names and let them continue to exist.”
Image Source: Max Alexander
