The concept of a grey city is being dismantled with
Yinka IIori’s artistic intervention in London. The designer is transforming
18 pedestrian crossings with vibrant colors that mix blue, pink, green and orange; replacing the old and traditional black and white. The chosen streets for the project are on Tottenham Court Road, in central London.
The paintings are being done by volunteers, after the designer partnered with students from the
University of the Arts London to design seven more intersections. Dubbed "
Bring London Together ", the aim of the project is to bring a more cheerful and relaxed atmosphere to London's streets, catching the attention of the thousands of people who pass through these streets every day. The project was created with the support of the city council for the London Design Festival 2021. “For me, color and pattern have always been a way to celebrate places, communities, and experiences. Rather than being erased, these passages can become a focal point where people can consume art. Hopefully, it will make them smile and bring a sense of joy and positivity to their day,” Yinka IIori explained.
The project came about at a time when people are returning to the streets and leaving their homes after the coronavirus pandemic. With the advance of vaccination, Londoners are increasingly returning to their activities as before. For the designer, art is a way to give the city back to its inhabitants in a more joyful and renewed way. "We are still in a pandemic, but we are trying to slowly come out of it. I am trying to make Londoners feel like they can really live their lives again."
