Luminarium
Presented by Creative Barking and Dagenham, in partnership with Barking Riverside Limited (BRL) and with the support of Riverside School
by Architects of Air
Tuesday 3 to Friday 6 September - schools and community groups
Saturday 7 - Public entry; part of Emerge East.
Sunday 8 - Public entry
FREE - tickets not essential, come and queue on the day
Enter a world of wonder
Enter the Luminarium, a giant inflatable sculpture and be transported into another world.
Combining light, colour and sound, this unique experience will awaken all the senses, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment for all ages. And it’s FREE to experience.
Landing in Barking Riverside at the start of September you can experience a dazzling maze of winding paths and soaring domes.
Created by Alan Parkinson - Architects of Air, the maze is inspired by the natural world and features tree forms and leaf patterns.
The maze is a sensory experience that can both be calming and invigorating featuring a soothing soundtrack created by Irish composer Dr Michael Morris.
This will be the Luminarium’s premiere in London, having been exhibited internationally in Barcelona, Adelaide, Perth, Christchurch and Auckland.
Pre-book a time ticket entry.
Or come along on the day, spaces will be available without a pre-booked ticket but you may need to queue.
If pre-booked timed tickets are indicated ‘sold out’ you can still join the queue onsite on the day!
Tickets
Community group tickets available:
Tuesday 3 September - Friday 6 September between 3:30pm - 7:30pm each day
If you’re part of a community group interested in visiting please email hello@creativebd.org.uk
Public tickets available:
Pre-book a timed entry tickets available on Eventbrite or come along on the day and queue without a ticket.
Saturday 7 September - 10am - 7pm - Part of Emerge East festival
Sunday 8 September - 10am - 7pm
About tickets:
If pre-booked tickets show as ‘sold out’ you can still come along on the day and queue, we will have spaces available on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September for people who DON’T have a pre-booked ticket.
The Luminarium will admit visitors from 10 am to 7pm (last admission) on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September.
On the door tickets available onsite during opening times on a first come first served basis. This queue might close early in the case of high attendance.
A limited amount tickets are available online for priority admission..
If advance tickets are indicated to be sold out you can still join the queue onsite.
📋 T&Cs
There will be a photographer present at this event, if you do not wish to be photographed please notify a member of staff.
The Luminarium is a shoe-free space. You will be asked to remove your shoes at the door. Shoes and possessions are left in the reception area at the owner’s risk.
Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Groups should not include more than 4 children per adult.
Sorry, dogs (or any other kind of animal) cannot enter the Luminarium. If you have a visual impairment please contact the team and we will accommodate your visit. Email hello@creativebd.org.uk
Accessible for wheelchair users and people with mobility issues.
FAQs
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This immersive art installation has been likened to a colourful labyrinth. Walking through will awaken all the senses, creating a feeling of wonder and enchantment for all ages.
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Arborialis Luminarium is by the Nottingham-based company Architects of Air, led by artist Alan Parkinson. Architects of Air luminaria have travelled to over 40 counties across 5 continents, reaching over 3 million people to date.
Find out more on: www.architects-of-air.com
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[3rd–6th Sep.]
Barking and Dagenham community group visits
[7th Sept]
Public entry.
Part of Emerge East – Barking Riverside’s free festival celebrating community, creativity and nature.
[8th Sept]
Public entry for all.
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A visit usually takes approx 20 minutes – you are welcome to stay and relax.
If the queue for the Luminarium is very long , we may encourage people to leave after 20 minutes so as many people as possible have the opportunity to experience the Luminarium.
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Riverside School, Barking Riverside, IG11 OFU
You will need to enter the school at the Fielders Crescent entrance. This entrance is next to LEYS Barking Riverside Nursery & Pre-School.
See the next question to find out how to get there!
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[🚄 Overground]
Barking Riverside - 8-minute walk
[🚌 EL1 & EL3]
Riverside Campus – 2-minute walk
[♿ Blue Badge]
Parking at Barking Riverside Project Office, IG11 0YP
[⛴️ Uber Boat by Thames Clippers]
Barking Riverside Pier
[🚗 Pay and Display]
Please note: A pay-and-display parking space (LIMITED SPACES) is available 10 to 15 minutes’ walk from the venue, find directions here: https://g.co/kgs/8qBLuNH.
We strongly advise coming by public transport.
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Tickets can either be booked online, giving advance tickets to the Luminarium for a time and date convenient to you; or in-person via the ticketing office at the Luminarium
Advance ticket holders will have priority admission up to 30 minutes from the time indicated on the ticket – a small wait should still be expected
On-the-door tickets are allocated on a first-come first-served basis during operating hours for immediate queuing and entry
Ticket holders will be admitted into the Luminarium where capacity allows
Advance ticket holders should arrive 10 minutes prior to their booked entry time
Advance tickets are not available for the first 30 minutes nor the final 1 hour of opening times
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Don’t fret! Free, on-the-door tickets are also available throughout the day. They are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and allow you to join the general queue for entry.
Please speak to a member of the box-office team on the day for availability.
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The Luminarium is a highly accessible installation, giving access to broad audiences of many ages, abilities, cultures and communities.
As such, between 10am to 11am on Sunday, the Luminarium will also be running autism-friendly sessions.
Email: hello@creativebd.org.uk if you have any questions.
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Yes.
The Luminarium welcomes people who use wheelchairs and mobility support and priority entry will be granted to visitors who use wheelchairs and their caregivers.
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Yes!
The Luminarium is predominantly visual and can be enjoyed by those who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing. There is an ambient soundscape that accompanies the installation that contains no words andis not necessary to enjoy the experience.
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Yes!
The Luminarium is an incredible sensory experience that many people have found to be calming and invigorating.
Making use of colour, light, sound and space, the Luminarium has something for all.
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Luminarias are heavily visual installations. Those with a visual impairment are welcome to explore – please let yourself be known to member of staff on the day!
However, the environment isn’t suitable for assistance dogs. A shaded space will be provided for them, should you wish to explore inside!
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The Luminarium contains no flashing lights or artificial lighting.
The colours within are created from sunlight flooding through the material. The Luminarium may have up to 80 people at any one time, so please be mindful of this in advance of your visit.
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No, there is no seating available within Luminarium, but visitors are welcome to sit and lie down on the floor of the structure if they wish.
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No, sorry, the Luminarium is a shoe-free zone.
You'll be asked to remove shoes at the door. You can leave your shoes and personal items in the reception. There will be a steward in the reception area at all times, but this is at your own risk.
If shoes need to be kept on de to medical reasons then shoe covers will be provided.
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Yes!
Everyone is welcome, but children under 16 must always be accompanied by an adult with a maximum of 1 adult for up to 4 children.
Please note that prams must be left outside of the luminarium. Pram parking is available at entry, but this is at your own risk.
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Sorry, no. The Luminarium is not designed to be run-around in, and visitors shouldn’t jump on any of the surfaces.
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Natural light!
You'll be amazed at the design and how natural light creates the spaces inside.
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Yes! Feel free to take photos and don’t forget to tag any social media posts with:
#ArchitectsofAir
#BarkingLuminarium
#CreativeBD
Large photo/videography devises aren’t allowed.
From the media?
Please email hello@creativebd.org.uk to arrange a visit.
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The Luminarium may need to close temporarily due to high winds or very high temperatures, for your safety. Once deemed safe, it will be reopened.
Please follow Creative Barking and Dagenham on social media or speak to the stewards for updates.
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Architects of Air were invited to bring the Luminarium to Barking Riverside by Creative Barking and Dagenham. Creative Barking and Dagenham has collaborated with Barking Riverside Limited and Riverside School to make this special Luminarium event happen.
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We are an arts organsation based in the borough. Our work is about local people choosing, creating and taking part in creative activities.
We are funded by Arts Council England and part of the Creative People and Places programme.
You can find out more info here: www.creativebd.org.uk
How to get here
Find the Luminarium at:
Riverside School, Fielders Crescent, Barking Riverside, IG11 0FU
No Parking is available in the local area.
Closest Station: Barking Riverside
Bus Routes: EL1 and EL3
TFL has more route planning options. Click here.
Watch
See what awaits you in the Luminarium and hear people’s reaction to this incredible art installation.
About the Luminarium and Architects of Air
From the Guggenheim gallery in Spain to the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the unforgettable and interactive walk-in sculptures by Alan Parkinson - Architects of Air (pictured right), have astounded audiences across the globe.
Architects of Air has toured the Luminaria since 1992 and visited 43 countries.
Alan Parkinson’s intention is to stimulate visitors to a sense of wonder to the beauty of light and colour, and create an environment where the visitors experience is influenced by their own relation to space.
The installation awakens all the senses, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment for all ages.
And now you too can experience the work at Barking Riverside this September.
