A burst of spring colours in Fernando Casasempere's "Out of Sync" installation
Visitors to Somerset House this spring have been treated to a surprise when walking through the arched entrance from the Strand. The courtyard has been transformed into a field of spring flowers! London based Chilean artist Fernando Casasempere created 10,000 ceramic flowers set in a grass meadow for his first large-scale outdoor installation in the courtyard surrounded by the wings of the Somerset House. Titled Out of Sync, the flowers represent the precision of nature’s cycles and beauty of the springtime in contrast to the ever-changing man made environment. However, on a gorgeous spring day in London, it seemed Casasempere’s installation fit perfectly. The field of pink and white flowers were absolutely in sync with the blossoms everywhere in London – the parks, gardens and even surrounding St Mary-le-Strand church right in the middle of the busy Strand nearby.
A field of ceramic flowers by Chilean artist Fernando Casasempere
The flowers captured the interest of visitors and Londoners alike, who were out enjoying a peaceful Sunday morning at the Somerset House. There’s a lot to see and do at this important arts and cultural centre, including seeing the excellent collections of the Courtauld Gallery as well as traveling exhibitions on display throughout the 18th-century buildings of the Somerset House.
A close up of Casasempere's flowers at the Somerset House
Located on the Strand between the Royal Courts of Justice and Trafalgar Square—and very near our two bedroom Savoy vacation rental—the courtyard of the Somerset House is a great spot to stop and enjoy a break from sightseeing. Soak up the sun in one of the outdoor cafés at the Somerset House. Or take in splendid views overlooking the Thames toward the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament while enjoying Michelin starred chef Tom Aikens’ specialties at Tom’s Terrace during the summer months.
Soak up art and the architecture of the Somesert House in the sun
Fernando Casasempere’s art installation Out of Sync is on display in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court at the Somerset House until 27 April 2012. Admission to the courtyard is free and open from 08.00 – 23.00. After the spring exhibition in London, Out of Sync will be donated to the people of Chile where it is scheduled to go on display first in Santiago before being installed in its permanent home in the deserts of northern Chile. Catch this burst of spring while you can at the Somerset House! Exhibits and installations change regularly, so simply visit the Somerset House website to see what art exhibits and events will be happening during your holiday in London.
Photos courtesy: Laura Thayer
Tags: art exhibitions, art galleries, museums, Somerset House, Trafalgar Square
[...] blooming in front of the St. Mary-le-Strand church designed by James Gibbs (1682-1754) near the Somerset House and the beautiful Eden studio rental near Trafalgar [...]