Croydon residents are invited to get ready for a HUGE surprise, as seven gigantic inflatable artworks are set to transform Croydon town centre into a surreal open-air gallery this Bank Holiday weekend.
From 27 to 31 August, residents and visitors to Croydon are invited to look up, explore and expect the unexpected as larger-than-life sculptures appear on rooftops, bursting from buildings and transforming familiar landmarks in spectacular fashion.
The free walking art trail offers visitors of all ages a playful new way to discover Croydon, with giant tentacles reaching from the iconic Fairfield Halls, supersized sunflowers, a shoal of colourful fish and the biggest paintbrush you’ve ever seen!
Created by renowned artist duo Filthy Luker and their pioneering inflatable design studio Designs in Air, the impossible-to-miss giant art installations will also be illuminated after dark, giving visitors another opportunity to experience the trail during an evening stroll.
Matthew Sims, Chief Executive of Croydon BID, said:
“Unexpected Croydon is our playful rebellion against the everyday, turning the town centre into a larger-than-life open-air gallery filled with colour and creativity. Our high streets need an injection of energy, and these spectacular artworks give people a reason to look up, smile and experience Croydon differently. Best of all, the trail is completely free, offering families and visitors of all ages a joyful escape to experience something different.”
Filthy Luker, Director and Designer at Designs in Air, said:
“Our main motive is to make the world a more surreal and colourful place as a kind of vendetta against the mundane, concrete world we live in. With the ability to blow up giant objects almost anywhere the installations work as beautiful shock-tactics, grabbing the public’s attention. We love to spice up the daily grind and disrupt city skylines with some artful light-hearted anarchy.”
Where to find Unexpected Croydon
The seven installations will be located across Croydon at:
- Centrale Shopping Centre: 21 North End, Croydon, Croydon CR0 1TY
- Croydon Town Hall: Katharine St, Croydon CR0 1NX
- Fairfield Halls: Park Lane, Croydon, CR0 1JD
- North End: 21 North End, Croydon, CR0 1TY
- LSBU Croydon Campus: Electric House, 3 Wellesley Rd, Croydon CR0 2AG
- Ruskin Square Car Park: Dingwall Rd, East, Croydon CR0 2NB
- The Green Dragon: 58-60 High St, Croydon CR0 1NA
The installations have been commissioned by the Croydon Business Improvement District (BID) in collaboration with Designs in Air, whose larger-than-life inflatable sculptures have appeared at major events and exhibitions around the world.
Further information and details about Unexpected Croydon will be published on the Croydon BID’s website and Instagram page.
More information about Fairfield Halls is available online at fairfield.co.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For all media enquiries about Croydon BID or Unexpected Croydon, please contact Renee Keziou at renee.keziou@kallaway.com
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues.
BH Live (Enterprises) Limited is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of the parent organisation, established to manage the non-charitable activities, primarily relating to Conferences and Exhibitions.
Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council, Croydon Council, and Southampton City Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
Head office address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH, DORSET
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Fairfield Halls is managed by BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, in partnership with Croydon Council.
BH Live (Enterprises) Limited is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of the parent organisation, BH Live. It has been established to manage the non-charitable activities, primarily relating to Conferences and Exhibitions.
With a long and distinguished history, Fairfield Halls sits in the heart of Croydon.
Spaces inside the venue include its 809-seat Ashcroft Theatre, the world-class 1,802-seat Concert Hall, and The Recreational a 750-capacity standing live music venue. Additional space is available in the adjoining Cube Studio.
As well as the main auditoriums, there are additional spaces and rooms that regularly accommodate local business events, conferences, exhibitions, meetings, consumer-led events, and attractions such as family gatherings and celebrations.
Companies in residence at Fairfield Halls include Talawa, and London Mozart Players.
Following a major refurbishment in 2019, the venue’s opening seasons included an eclectic mix of theatre, music, comedy, performance, dance and family entertainment including an annual festive pantomime.
The Terrace Bistro offers pre-show dining with drinks and light-bites.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother opened Fairfield Halls on Friday 2 November 1962. The inaugural concert in the Concert Hall was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent, with renowned soloist Yehudi Menuhin also performing.
The Ashcroft Theatre was opened on 5 November by Croydon-born Dame Peggy Ashcroft, with the opening ceremony including a monologue by Sir John Betjeman called ‘Local Girl Made Good’. The first play performed was Royal Gambit, starring Dulcie Gray.
The Arnhem Foyer is named after Croydon’s twin-town of Arnhem in the Netherlands.
Buy tickets
- See what’s on and buy tickets online at fairfield.co.uk
- Buy tickets by phone 0300 500 0595
- In person from box office at Fairfield Halls – see website for opening times.
For call charges, opening times and more visit fairfield.co.uk
Follow us on:
Facebook – @fairfieldcroydon
Instagram – @croydonfairfield
Address: Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG, LONDON
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.