Art of London’s Art After Dark turns the West End cosmic with a free takeover by Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, uniting space agencies, astronomers, and musicians Spectacle features extraterrestrial rocks, neon cats inspired by physics experiments, cutting-edge telescopes, and a lunar-bounced soundscape by leading artists Iconic artists sending tracks to the moon include Pussy Riot, Massive Attack, Moses Boyd, Ayse Hassan (Savages), Mirrored Fatality, EOBIONT (Láwû Makuriye’nt) and The Avalanches Members of the public capturing selfies, calling to ‘speak to the moon’, and searching for extraterrestrial intelligence through the telescopes Art After Dark (6–8 March) marks International Women’s Day with late gallery openings, BSL tours, and a surreal space film on Piccadilly Lights
Thursday 6th March 2025, London: An intergalactic takeover has transformed London’s West End as artist and designer Dr. Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, founder of tuition free University of the Underground and NASA’s International Space Orchestra, unveils a free public art spectacle for Art of London’s Art After Dark (6th–8th March). Around the iconic Piccadilly Circus fountain, asteroid-shaped iridescent boulders appear to have tumbled straight from space, while in Leicester Square, towering five-metre neon inflatable cats - the size of a double-decker bus and inspired by Schrödinger’s famous quantum paradox - prowl the scene. Creating a portal to space while celebrating London’s nightlife, the asteroids broadcast a hypnotic lunar soundscape featuring excerpts of tracks from Pussy Riot, Massive Attack, The Avalanches, Moses Boyd, and Mirrored Fatality which have been bounced off the Moon. Transmitted 768,800 km via Earth-Moon-Earth technology and received by Jodrell Bank’s Lovell Telescope, the audio signal is spread over the entire nearside of the moon, penetrating several metres into the surface before returning to Earth with a unique and otherworldly sound, blending the original sound with those from the moon and the cosmos. As part of this ‘DJing with the moon’, Mercury Prize winner Ayse Hassan (Savages) crafted a mesmerising soundscape for Piccadilly Circus, blending the pulse of London’s bustling streets and iconic institutions including the National Portrait Gallery. Additionally, a newly produced track in collaboration with the late noise artist EOBIONT (Láwû Makuriye’nt), who tragically passed away this week, features the heartbeats of women from Ben Hayoun-Stépanian’s Armenian family to mark International Women’s Day. For those eager to explore the universe firsthand, state-of-the-art UNISTELLAR telescopes will be stationed across the West End, offering breathtaking views of nebulae, star clusters, and Jupiter during Galaxy Season. Guided by SETI Institute astronomers, visitors may even take part in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Meanwhile, culture seekers can step into a red telephone box outside The Londoner to ‘call the moon’ and chat with an AI-powered hotline. The culture experience brings the universe closer than ever and culminates on 8th March with a special 25 minute screening on Piccadilly Lights - a world first for the UK landmark - of Ben Hayoun-Stépanian’s film, From The Void To The Full. Spanning from the ocean’s depths to the farthest reaches of space, the surreal collage-based journey explores our evolving world, cosmic wonders, and humanity’s drive for discovery through fire and electricity. Meanwhile, a collection of extraterrestrial-inspired ceramic artworks - co-created with local youth groups* in a workshop developed by the artist - is on display at the Cabinet of Curiosities in St James’s Market Pavilion until the end of May. Beyond these cosmic installations, West End visitors can explore late-night gallery openings from world-class institutions at the Art of London Gallery HOP! and Friday Lates at the National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery, and Royal Academy, making Art After Dark the ultimate cultural night out. After an interstellar adventure, visitors can refuel at the West End’s top restaurants, bars, and theatres, all joining the celebration. Visit the Art of London website for programme details, gallery hops, exclusive deals, and bookable art tours, including BSL-interpreted experiences. Art After Dark is part of Art of London’s commitment to showcasing art in every form, delivered by Heart of London Business Alliance in collaboration with Westminster City Council. Rachel Williams, local city worker, said: “I was just on my way home from work when I stumbled upon these glowing rocks in the middle of Piccadilly Circus, emitting incredible sounds that had travelled to the moon and back! I even got to glimpse into space through powerful telescopes - such a surreal experience!” Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, eco-feminist artist and designer of experiences, said: “Piccadilly Un:Plugged invites you to break free from the everyday and step into the extraordinary and alien aesthetics - to gaze into the cosmos, and to understand that we are only a small part of a much larger ecosystem and solar system itself. As you contemplate our place in the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence, immerse yourself in a spectacle that champions love, compassion, inclusion, and accessibility. “Powered by an electric team of incredible scientists and female, trans, and non-binary artists, this experience reimagines the future of nightlife - on Earth and beyond. I’m beyond excited that everyone can now be part of it, engage their radical imagination and question what other futures could be like. This is all dedicated in loving memory and honour of groundbreaking artist Láwû Makuriye’nt (aka EOBIONT), who tragically passed this week, and who produced the music showcased in Piccadilly Un:Plugged; their spirit, avant-garde vision, and boundless curiosity continues to inspire us all.”
Kirsty Tullett-Jones, Director of Marketing and Communications, Art of London, said: “We’re thrilled to unveil the latest edition of Art After Dark, in collaboration with the incredible Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian and some of London’s most renowned institutions. This free event is open to all, making art accessible for everyone. Join us for this vibrant cultural adventure in the heart of the West End and venture into space with us!”
Professor Simon Garrington, University of Manchester, said: "Using the Earth-Moon-Earth technology to transmit sounds to the moon and back is a fascinating fusion of science and art. To receive speech and music this way is a technical challenge and requires powerful radio telescopes, such as The University of Manchester's giant Lovell Telescope. What we hear combines our human creativity with signals from the moon and the cosmos beyond in a truly unique way. The lunar landscape actually imprints itself in the sounds and signals we receive. Astronomers can exploit this to image the surface of planets and asteroids in a similar way to how bats perceive their environment."
Dr. Franck Marchis, Chief Scientific Officer, UNISTELLAR, and Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute said: “With our telescopes stationed across the West End during galaxy season - when space is at its most visible - Londoners and visitors alike will have the rare opportunity to experience the wonders of the cosmos firsthand. We’re thrilled to collaborate on this unique event and can’t wait to see what the public discovers!”
Massive Attack say: Today, Massive Attack is sending a cover of the Russian punk band Grob’s “Everything is going according to plan” to the moon and back using Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) technology as a part of Piccadilly Un:Plugged a free public art cosmic installation in Piccadilly Circus on 6th, 7th and 8th March. “Everything is going according to plan” was written by Yegor Letov in the 1980’s and was a withering critique of the Russian state. It was performed live in Russian language by Massive Attack in 2013 as part of a collaborative show with filmmaker Adam Curtis."
The Avalanches add: "We’re thrilled to be part of the Piccadilly Un:Plugged happening this weekend. It’s such an interesting and exciting concept to have audio bounced to the moon and back, and to hear the interpretations and alterations that occur along its 768,802 km journey. We’re honoured our song “We will Always Love You” was chosen to take the interstellar ride.”
Aysa Hassan says: “I feel exceptionally honoured to be involved in such an awe-inspiring experience, sharing the space with other talented beings that do so much for the community. It’s important to have visibility in the mainstream - Beings that represent and provide hope, paving a way for current and future generations to have the confidence to use their voice, pick up an instrument and navigate smashing down any barriers they might face when being true to themselves.“
PHOTO CAPTION: Art of London celebrates the return of its seasonal art and culture programme, Art After Dark, headlined by artist Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian from 6th March – 8th March 2025. Visit artoflondon.co.uk/artafterdark |
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