Imperial War Museum Atrium, IWM London Building Photos, Ai Weiwei Art England, Architecture
Imperial War Museum London Architecture
11 Aug 2020
IWM London Atrium Design
Location: Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ, England, UK
Imperial War Museum London building exterior:
photo courtesy of Imperial War Museum, Lambeth
Imperial War Museum London Atrium with Ai Weiwei Artwork
Ai Weiwei’s explosive artwork brought to life at the Imperial War Museum, London
In an historic event at the IWM London’s iconic Atrium the entire space has been taken over by an artist. Internationally renowned Ai Weiwei’s ‘History of Bombs’ is a site-specific work that explores a two dimensional rendering in exacting detail of fifty true to scale bombs and missiles.
This special commission is part of Weiwei’s exploration into politics and power and the ways in which contemporary conflicts and disasters impact on human life. The commission coincides with the museum’s Refugee season.
With bombs underfoot and aircraft overhead these terrifying weapons of mass destruction provoke uneasy thoughts about history, war and conflict. Dating from 1911 to 2019 these life-size bombs from Russia, the US, UK, Germany, Italy and Israel are mapped across the main hall in a vast and impressive floor covering.
photo © History of Bombs at the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth
Harlequin Floors, world-renowned event floor experts for live events, concerts & touring and display for retail, commercial installations and museums, were privileged to work on this amazing project. Harlequin supplied, printed and installed over 900sqm of Harlequin Clarity vinyl event floor which was reverse-printed with Ai Weiwei’s ‘History of Bombs’ artwork.
Reverse printing gives a 2mm protective wear coat which means the floor is capable of withstanding very high foot traffic, vital in busy venues such as museums.
The polished concrete subfloor was protected with layers of ram board and isolator membrane with the vinyl drops being cold welded to give a seamless finish.
photo © History of Bombs at the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth
Harlequin’s installation team worked on the impressive installation, making sure every one of the 22 drops of vinyl spanning 44 linear metres with multiple images, shading and colours all matched up perfectly.
History of Bombs is on display at IWM London from 1st August 2020 until 24th May 2021.
Churchill War Rooms information / images received from Clash Associates
Recreations of WWI trenches and the Blitz, many tanks and planes and revolving military exhibitions.
Opened: 7 July 1936
IWM London Architecture
IWM Churchill War Rooms
Design: Clash Associates
photo : Richard Davies
IWM Churchill War Rooms by Clash Associates
Location: Lambeth Road, south London, SE1 6HZ, England, UK
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