NEW YORK, NY.- A new video work by David Hockney, one of the worlds most celebrated living artists, has been unveiled across a network of the worlds most iconic outdoor video screens in London, New York, Seoul and Tokyo this May. The global collaboration, curated by Josef OConnor, Founder and Artistic Director of
CIRCA, an innovative new platform showcasing digital art in the public space, is in partnership with Times Square Arts Midnight Moment program in New York, the worlds largest, longest-running digital art exhibition, synchronized over 70 electronic billboards, COEX K-POP Square, the largest LED screen in Korea, and Yunika Vision in Japan.
David Hockney, said: What does the world look like? We have to take time to see its beauty. That's what I hope my work will encourage people to do when they see it on the large screens.
The new video, titled Remember you cannot look at the sun or death for very long, will be shown every evening throughout the month of May at the following times and locations:
London: Piccadilly Lights, Europes largest screen at 20:21BST
New York: Times Square across 70+ electronic billboards, at 23:57EST
Seoul: Coex K-POP Square LED screen at 20:21KST
Japan: Yunika Vision, Shinjuku at 09:00JST
Online via the CIRCA.ART website every evening at 20:21BST
In this worldwide display of unity, Hockneys animated sunrise offers a powerful symbol of hope and collaboration as many parts of the world awaken from lockdowns. In place of advertisements, members of the public living across these four cities are given the opportunity for a spontaneous encounter with Hockneys meditation on the arrival of spring. Created on the artists iPad in Normandy, France, this global happening coincides with the release of Hockneys new book Spring Cannot Be Cancelled and his Royal Academy exhibition The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020 on view 23 May to 26 September 2021.
A Time-Limited Poster by David Hockney is available to buy for £100 on the CIRCA website until 31 May 2021. Created especially in support of the #CIRCAECONOMY, which arises in response to our post-Covid world, 70% of the profits will be used to commission new culture and help support the creative community with the distribution of cash grants to artists and institutions. For more info, click here.
The CIRCA.ART website will stream Hockneys sunrise every evening at 20:21BST.
Audiences from around the world are encouraged to join in by uploading videos onto social media (#HOCKNEYCIRCA) of a real sunrise appearing in their local town or city. A selection of winners chosen by David Hockney will receive a free poster.
Jean Cooney, Director, Times Square Arts said: Were proud to be a part of this international collaboration featuring one of the worlds most renowned living artists advocating for hope and new horizons amidst the incredible uncertainty we face as a global society. This partnership across four countries marks the most expansive collaboration to date in Times Squares Midnight Moment programs nine-year history.
Josef OConnor, Artistic Director, CIRCA, said: There has never been a better time for this shining image of hope, which links people across borders and continents to celebrate the arrival of spring. We are especially grateful to David Hockney, a master in exploring the boundaries of new media, for allowing CIRCA to present his work in such a bold and democratic way, connecting Piccadilly Lights with screens all around the world.
Norman Rosenthal, Chairman of The CIRCA Council, added I love the idea of sunrise at sunset. Its a profound idea.