The concept for Jaime Hayon‘s innovative and dynamic art installation to be exhibited in Trafalgar Square during the 2009 London Design Festival is inspired by English culture and its symbolism.
‘The Tournament’ is a giant chess game situated between the two fountains and faces the staircase of the National Portrait Gallery. During the Festival the public can sign up to play through the Festival website and prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Artist / designer Jaime Hayon portrays his perception of codes and ideas using the chessboard and its elements as a tool to recreate a theatrical and playful interactive scenography of English history and tradition.
The game reflects the historic context of the battle of Trafalgar between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the Spanish & French Navy. The battle was a decisive British victory thanks to the tactics used by Lord Nelson. With “The Tournament”, Hayon offers his personal view of this historic event and a reflection on symbols of British culture, including the queen and monarchy as icons of English tradition and the towers as a representation of architectural history. A world of symbols and shapes are brought to life within ‘The Tournament’ where Hayon shares his vision and cosmography, asking the city to ‘come out and play’.
The 32 hand painted designs demonstrate the finishes, scale and techniques that can be achieved in porcelain, giving insight and exposure to the craft of ceramics. The figures will be up to 180 cm high and mounted on wheels so they can be moved around as the game is played. There will also be a special area where the figurines will be displayed and housed overnight once they have been taken out of the game. Contestants will sit on elevated platforms overlooking the game and their moves will be relayed by the judge, to the team on the board who will move the pieces into position.
Visitors to Trafalgar Square will be able to experience the work throughout the day, while games are taking place and once the sun goes down dramatic lighting will illuminate the board giving the opportunity to view the pieces throughout the evening.
This year’s festival runs from 19 to 27 September.