New interactive art trail unveiled in London
As one of the most-visited and iconic cities in the world, London is constantly drawing in plenty of tourists. Now, those with a soft spot for the art world have a new interactive trail that channels the English capital’s spirit and history while sending them all across town.
The free display involves 11 different works displayed at various spots around ‘The Big Smoke’, each of which are linked via a QR code to an augmented reality experience that showcases historical archive images of nearby landmarks.
Local business group London Heritage Quarter is responsible for the trail, which it hopes will increase visitors to the areas in question, while also allowing those who indulge to discover more about the city’s long and storied past.
The organisation was only formed recently when four London Business Improvement districts covering Westminster, Victoria, Whitehall, and the Northbank combined to use their business-led and business-funded acumen to good use as they set out to improve commercial areas with new additions that could help drive tourism.
CEO Ruth Duston explained to the BBC how “each custom-made sculpture honouring iconic British symbols provides an engaging, interactive experience for both local and global visitors.” With the summer season on the horizon, London Heritage Quarter hopes “this trail stands out as a unique addition to London’s diverse attractions” that offers tourists “a fresh and exciting way to explore the city.”
The sculptures were all painted by artists from the London art agency Artiq, with commercial director Tazie Tayson sharing that “our artists are delighted to be part of the London Heritage Quarter Summer Trail, which she described as “a fantastic platform for contemporary art to be enjoyed in public spaces,” with Artiq “proud to contribute to the cultural tapestry of London.”
The trail has also been launched in part to “commemorate significant anniversaries” in the London art world, which this year includes the 200th anniversary of the National Gallery, with local businesses potential beneficiaries for art lovers who make a point of descending on all 11 works.
London has always been famous for its thriving art scene, and the latest addition promises to capture the imagination of locals and tourists alike.
The London Heritage Quarter Summer Trail sculptures and locations:
- Teacup – Victoria Embankment Gardens
- Teapot – Lower Grosvenor Gardens
- Taxi – Trafalgar Square
- Telephone Box – Westminster Cathedral Piazza
- Postbox – Supreme Court
- Bus – Strand Aldwych
- Crown – St James’s Park
- Rain Boots – Victoria Tower Gardens
- Top Hat – Whitehall Gardens
- Guard – The Guards Museum, Wellington Barracks
- Pocket Watch – QEII Centre
