Spectra is a powerful lightbeam illuminating London's iconic skyline for this week only.

The public are able to view this temporary art installation at the Victoria Tower Gardens, 24 hours a day until Monday 11th August 2014. 

First appearing on 4th August, this amazing piece of art work was commissioned to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War in the UK. A light installation is a very fitting given the famous words of Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary, on the eve of the First World War that “the lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time”.

Spectra is the latest artwork by Japanese contemporary artist Ryoji Ikeda. 

From a distance the monumental 15 km tower of light looks like a solid beam shining down from the sky.

Approaching it for the first time you realise the lights are at ground level. It's momentarily disorientating especially as your eyes adjust to the contrast of the brilliance of the light in the surrounding darkness.

Spectra consists of 49 powerful searchlights all pointing upwards and installed in seven rows of seven over a 20 metre grid pattern. The public are able to walk in between the lights and suddenly you find yourself standing inside the art work. 

Looking up provides a totally different perspective and you can see that the light is made up of several rays of brillant white light.

Ikeda has composed an accompanying electronic sound track.

It has an ethereal quality to it, reminding me of the first time I saw Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

This is also a great place to people watch. I loved watching the different ways people respond and interact with the lights.

Take your time to look round at it from different angles. The Victoria Tower and the trees look amazing through the rays of light. 

This is really special so hurry to see it before it disappears

Final View of Spectra with the iconic image of Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) in the background

Practical Information

Location:  Victoria Tower Gardens, Millbank, London, SW1P 3JA. It is in a small park adjacent to the Houses of Parliament.

Nearest Tube Station:  Westminster or Pimlico

Opening Times:  Victoria Tower Gardens are open 24 hours a day from Monday 4^th to Monday 11^th August 2014

Hours of illumination: spectra is visible at night. It will appear at dusk (approximately 9pm) and disappear at dawn (approximately 5am) each day. It will be switched off at dawn on Monday 11^th August 2014.

Admission: Free

Disabled access: spectra is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

Top Tip:  Word is spreading fast that there is public accessibility to spectra and large numbers are expected. There is a system in place to manage capacity at busy times. On Wednesday night it was busy but I walked straight in and didn’t need to queue, however as the weekend approaches it will become even busier. I’d recommend visiting as soon as possible ideally before the weekend. The last night to view it will be the evening/ night of Sunday 10^th August as spectra will be switched off at dawn on Monday 11^th August 2014.

Website: http://www.artangel.org.uk/

More about spectra can be found on Ryoji Ikeda’s website

The author of this blog is a qualified City of London and City of Westminster Tour Guide who leads guided walks combining world famous landmarks with hidden treasures often missed by the crowds

Tweet