‘Aura’ by Pablo Valbuena at St Paul’s Cathedral

Image credit Ed Reeve https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/st-pauls-cathedral-london-design-festival-2023-pablo-valbuena

As part of the London Design Festival, Spanish artist’s Pablo Valbuena’s magical light and sound installation at St Paul’s Cathedral in London has been extended and can now be experienced until early November.

Dubbed ‘Wren 300’, as part of a series of activations to mark the 300th anniversary of Sir Christopher Wren’s death and his masterpiece, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Design Festival’s programme delves into the architect’s vision.

‘Aura’ is one of such activations. A live installation that transforms the sounds present in the Cathedral into a pulsating line of light projected at an architectural scale.

Valbuena has declared, “I am very interested in making work intimately linked to a place,” explains Valbuena, “that can only happen in a particular space, time and circumstances.” The live installation transforms the sounds present in the Cathedral into a pulsating line of light projected at an architectural scale.

Sound spectrum of St Paul’s choir singing Evensong. Aura. Pablo Valbuena, 2023.

ACCESS TO ‘AURA’ AT ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

Aura is best viewed reacting to the free and unticketed services which take place daily in St Paul’s Cathedral. Service times can be found on the St Paul’s Cathedral website

MONDAY TO SATURDAY

12:30 – 13:00 Eucharist

Please be aware that the installation will only respond to the spoken word during the Eucharist and no music will be played

17:00 – 17:45 – Choral Evensong Highly recommended for a full experience of the work.

SUNDAYS 11:15 – 12:15 – Sung Eucharist 15:00 – 16:00 – Choral Evensong 17:30 – 18:00 – Eucharist

Please be aware that the installation will only respond to the spoken word during the Eucharist and no music will be played

During the day, AURA will react to Organ Practice which is typically scheduled between 9:30am and 10:30am or 15:15 and 16:15 as well as the hourly prayers.

Website: https://www.londondesignfestival.com/activities/aura