Renée Levi's Dazzling 'September' Installation Illuminates Hayward Gallery's Brutalist Facade










Experience Art Reimagined: The Hayward Gallery's Transformation
A Bold Artistic Intervention on London's South Bank
Renée Levi, a Swiss artist, has boldly brought her painterly vision to an unconventional setting: the robust concrete facade of the Hayward Gallery in London. Her inaugural major public art piece in the UK, titled "September," unfurls as a captivating two-part painting positioned both above and below the building's distinctive projecting window. This remarkable undertaking, jointly commissioned by the Hayward Gallery and Audemars Piguet Contemporary, introduces a lively palette of fluorescent greens, pinks, blues, and oranges to one of the South Bank's most recognized Brutalist landmarks, dramatically enlivening the typically monochromatic concrete with its vibrant presence.
Redefining the Canvas: Painting Beyond Convention
This initiative also represents a significant milestone for Audemars Piguet Contemporary. While the Swiss watchmaker's art program has supported diverse artistic commissions since 2012, "September" marks its first foray into painting. This particular choice is notably apt, as Levi propels the medium far beyond the confines of a traditional canvas. Instead of merely placing an object in front of the building, she engages directly with its architectural form, incorporating the Hayward's rectangular window—often referred to as the building's 'eye'—as an integral component of her artistic composition.
The Symbiosis of Fluorescent Art and Brutalist Architecture
Levi's artistic approach is deeply rooted in her long-standing philosophy of painting as an act influenced by the body, materials, and the specific location, rather than adhering to a pre-conceived image. Her expressive strokes extend fluidly above and below the window, inherently linked to the physical reach and motion of the painter. In this context, the Hayward Gallery, with its raw concrete, pronounced projections, and distinctive geometric lines, transcends its role as a mere backdrop; it becomes an active material within the artwork itself. The Grade II-listed building, already possessing a powerful sculptural presence, is temporarily adorned with a new, vibrant layer through Levi's intervention.
Innovation in Material and Artistic Exploration
This striking new layer is crafted from industrial mesh, a medium Levi employs for painting for the very first time. Typically associated with large-scale advertising and commercial signage, this material allows air to circulate while effectively supporting the expansive fluorescent marks. This innovative choice represents a subtle subversion of a surface more commonly used for commercial promotion, now transformed into a pure artistic expression. This material experimentation perfectly aligns with Audemars Piguet Contemporary's declared mission: to foster collaborations that empower artists to explore uncharted territories within their creative practices.
A Dynamic Spectacle: Art Interacting with Urban Life
Unlike a painting viewed in the controlled environment of a gallery, "September" actively resists a singular, static perspective. Its appearance transforms dramatically depending on the viewer's distance, angle, the changing daylight, and shadows, seamlessly weaving itself into the ceaseless flow of people along the South Bank. Levi connects this inherent instability to the artwork's title itself: "September" as a month characterized by shifting light, weather patterns, and the ever-evolving rhythms of metropolitan life. For an eight-week duration, daily commuters, international tourists, and even chance observers become its recurring audience, whether or not they had consciously planned to encounter contemporary art that day.
A Legacy of Artistic Collaboration and Innovation
This commission serves as a continuation of Audemars Piguet Contemporary's broader initiative of fostering partnerships with artists and esteemed cultural institutions, a program that has previously featured projects with luminaries such as Cao Fei, Adrián Villar Rojas, Ryoji Ikeda, and Tomás Saraceno. For Levi, this undertaking adds another significant architectural-scale experiment to a distinguished artistic career that has already graced prominent venues including the Palais de Tokyo, Kunstmuseum Basel, and the Lyon Biennale. "September" will remain a vibrant fixture on the Hayward Gallery's facade until November 15, 2026, after which the radiant colors will recede, and the iconic Brutalist structure will revert to its original, stark grey aesthetic.