LONDON.- This winter, culture lovers in
Wembley Park – London’s most exciting new neighbourhood – and beyond will be treated to an immersive, interactive new art experience. Delivered in partnership with Emergency Exit Arts (EEA), The Luminaze is an innovative, site-specific walkthrough art installation located just off the iconic Olympic Way, in front of Wembley Stadium. The maze-like experience integrates cutting-edge neon light technology, a specially curated soundscape, tactile elements that visitors can touch or sit on, and a stunning centrepiece in the form of the four-metre-tall Hourglass.
Part of Wembley Park’s winter offering, The Luminaze will be open to visitors until Tuesday 2nd January and is free to visit. The vast installation features 18 specially crafted, energy-efficient neon murals that align seamlessly with The Luminaze’s mirrored walls, intensifying the impact of the light.
The murals are the work of five talented artists: Patrick Bullock, Emma Corck, Sam Noble, Amy West and Craig Wes. Each artist has explored the themes of belonging and migration in their own unique way, resulting in a diverse collection of murals that inspire visitors to think about what ‘home’ means to them. Visitors can explore galaxies, constellations and elements of the natural world, along with a neon-based Living Room that recreates a wintry scene of domestic life, with fireplaces, sofas, bookcases, lamps, and more.
“We are delighted to present The Luminaze and The Hourglass as part of our free winter activities programme here in Wembley Park. The neighbourhood has long been committed to exploring important themes through its extensive collection of both temporary and permanent artworks. This fascinating new installation takes that work forward in spectacular fashion, considering the planet as our ultimate home, in which we are all one people.” -Justin Korotva, spokesperson, Wembley Park
The walkthrough Luminaze features a soundscape written by Ben Raine, Production Director at Emergency Exit Arts, designed to envelop audiences in an immersive journey as they explore the fully accessible pathways, which are wide enough for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and prams. Interactive elements for visitors to explore through their sense of touch further elevate the sensory experience of the maze, transforming it from a viewing experience to one of active participation and engagement with the art.
In addition to the 18 murals of The Luminaze, artist Patrick Bullock has created two new site-specific murals responding to the idea of place and community. The new murals include hibernating animals against the Wembley Park skyline and the outlines of hands of different shapes coming together. An artist who thrives on challenging limitations and weaving narratives, Bullock reflects on the synergies between animals seeking the warmth of their burrows during the winter months and humans coming closer together at this time of the year. The new murals convey this idea of coming together, delivering a sense of cosiness, warmth and unity beneath Wembley Park’s starry sky.
Visitors who reach the centre of The Luminaze will discover a stunning, four-metre-tall sculpture, The Hourglass, created by Emergency Exit Arts in collaboration with artists Cristina Ottonello and Jo Paul and video projection artists Matt and Rob Vale of Illuminos. The Hourglass features internal 3D projections, with hidden mirrors at the base of the structure channelling these to create a new 3D show ‘We love this place’. Designed specifically for Wembley Park, the animated story told by The Hourglass includes soundbites from residents sharing their experiences of living in the neighbourhood while highlighting how natural migration is for humans and the need to overcome the divisions that the manmade concept of borders creates.
Continuing the conceptual themes of The Luminaze, The Hourglass will invite audiences to think about what they love about their community. The contributions from Wembley Park residents will add a unique, participatory aspect to the artwork, embedding their voices and experiences within the very fabric of the installation.
“EEA are experts in using creativity and spectacle to enhance places and bring people together. We are delighted to bring the world premiere of The Luminaze to Wembley Park for people to enjoy. The Luminaze is our new, immersive light installation, inviting visitors to explore what they love about their place and ultimately what home means to them.” -Daniel Bernstein, CEO, Emergency Exit Arts
The multi-faceted installation is primarily constructed from neon LED strips, mirrored acetate, timber, and plywood, making The Luminaze as sustainable as it is visually arresting. Suitable for all ages, the installation is best enjoyed from 5 pm each day, when the full impact of its intricate neon and ambient lighting comes alive against the dark, wintery skies. No booking is required for this free public art installation.
The Luminaze forms part of the wider Winter at Wembley Park programming throughout December. It includes festive markets and choral performances each weekend in the run-up to Christmas, festive lighting, seasonal events at BOXPARK Wembley, retail offers at London Designer Outlet, and gift packages at select local independents. Overseeing it all will be a stunning, nine-metre-tall Christmas tree on Market Square, adorned with traditional baubles and festive neon decorations that create a sense of harmony with The Luminaze.
Wembley Park
Wembley Park is London’s most exciting new neighbourhood. Already home to the OVO Arena Wembley, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre and Wembley Stadium, Wembley Park is building on its international reputation for music and sporting events and becoming a landmark destination with culture, entertainment, and community at its heart.
As a neighbourhood, Wembley Park includes over 4,700 new homes, shops, and places to work, as well as attractive public spaces, with parks and gardens, public squares and wide boulevards for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. When completed, nearly half of the 85-acre site will be open space and private gardens and Wembley Park will be home to the largest single site of Build to Rent in the UK, with over 6,000 homes, all managed by Quintain Living.
The three-acre southern section of what will be the seven-acre Union Park is the latest milestone in the transformation of Wembley Park, including brand new amenities such as a children’s paddling pool, a playground, a pond, new trees, and expansive lawns, as well as outdoor training equipment.
Wembley Park’s cultural strategy features a year-long programme of free public events. Past highlights include the Jubilee Dance Party, International Busking Day, Rambert Dance Day, Diwali at Wembley Park and Wemba's Dream, a performance festival co-produced with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which will soon be moving its headquarters to the neighbourhood. An extensive public art programme animates Wembley Park’s open spaces, with commissions by JR, Jason Bruges, Mr Doodle, Pref, Miriamandtom, Vivien Zhang and Maser. A purpose-built community centre, The Yellow, provides a weekly programme of free community activities, ranging from youth theatre to Indian classical dance.
Just a quick 12-minute journey from Central London, Wembley Park stands as one of Europe’s most substantial regeneration projects.
For more information, visit wembleypark.com
Emergency Exit Arts
Emergency Exit Arts (EEA) is one of Britain’s pioneering outdoor arts companies, creating magical experiences in the places where you live, learn, work and play. EEA reinvigorate communities, give people a voice and challenge the ordinary.
Illuminos
Illuminos are brothers Matt and Rob Vale, who for over 10 years have been creating visually inventive, memorable projection artworks and experiences. Formed around a principal of People, Site, Animation, each project that they approach develops from an exploration of the emotions of an environment, aiming to capture the essence of a place, space or feeling as a shared moment of time.
