Press Release

THE CROWN ESTATE ADDS FLARE TO NEW BURLINGTON PLACE

19 July 2006

Cllr Robert Davis DL, Westminster City Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, on Tuesday 18 July 2006 unveiled “The New Burlington Flare” – London’s latest work of public art. The impressive sculpture and light installation is outside the new headquarters of The Crown Estate in New Burlington Place, adjacent to Regent Street. The Crown Estate commissioned the work of art as part of the public realm improvements that have transformed New Burlington Place.

Cllr Davis said: “Westminster City Council is committed to improving the public realm for residents and visitors alike. The transformation of New Burlington Place by The Crown Estate is an excellent example of the council and business successfully working together to enliven and make safe public areas.”

Giles Clarke, Director of Investment Strategy and Asset Management at The Crown Estate, said: “I’m very proud that The Crown Estate has invested directly into improving this area so that now it can be enjoyed not only by those of us who work here, but by anyone who explores and discovers this new public space.”

The New Burlington Flare is the work of Michael Bleyenberg. Michael is based at the Dusseldorf Kunstacademie, an institution that has a close association with important names in twentieth century art such as Joseph Beuys, Jorg Immendorf, and Sigmar Polke.

At the core of the installation are Holographic Optical Elements (HOE). These are light foils designed by the artist embedded between glass and mirrors which, as a result of light refraction comparable to a prism, create a colour play specifically designed for the object.

Either during the day, at dusk, or at night, when lit up by a set of internal lighting units, the installation displays casts a magnificent colour / light display, which can be experienced in manifold ways depending on the position of the spectator.

The Crown Estate is the landlord of the whole of Regent Street between Oxford and Piccadilly circuses. The Crown Estate is currently halfway through a £500 million redevelopment and investment programme on the street creating a unique international destination with a world class environment for business and people alike.