An intergalactic takeover has transformed London’s West End as artist and designer Dr. Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, founder of NASA’s International Space Orchestra, unveils a free public art spectacle for Art of London’s Art After Dark (6th–8th March).
Around the iconic Piccadilly Circus fountain, asteroid-shaped iridescent boulders appear to have tumbled straight from space, while in Leicester Square, towering five-metre neon inflatable cats – the size of a double-decker bus and inspired by Schrödinger’s famous quantum paradox – prowl the scene.
Creating a portal to space while celebrating London’s nightlife, the asteroids broadcast a hypnotic lunar soundscape featuring tracks from Massive Attack, The Avalanches, Moses Boyd, and Mirrored Fatality which have been bounced off the Moon. Transmitted 768,800 km via Earth-Moon-Earth technology and received by Jodrell Bank’s Lovell Telescope, the audio signal spreads across the Moon’s nearside, penetrating several metres into the surface before returning to Earth with a unique, otherworldly sound that blends the original with echoes from the Moon and cosmos.
As part of this ‘DJing with the Moon’, Mercury Prize winner Ayse Hassan (Savages) crafted a mesmerising soundscape for Piccadilly Circus, blending the pulse of London’s bustling streets and iconic institutions including the National Portrait Gallery. Additionally, a newly produced track in collaboration with the late noise artist EOBIONT (Láwû Makuriye’nt), who tragically passed away this week, features the heartbeats of women from Ben Hayoun-Stépanian’s Armenian family to mark International Women’s Day.
For those eager to explore the universe firsthand, state-of-the-art UNISTELLAR telescopes will be stationed across the West End, offering breathtaking views of nebulae, star clusters, and Jupiter during Galaxy Season. Guided by SETI Institute astronomers, visitors may even take part in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Meanwhile, culture seekers can step into a red telephone box outside The Londoner to ‘call the Moon’ and chat with an AI-powered hotline.
The culture experience brings the universe closer than ever and culminates on 8th March with a special 25 minute screening on Piccadilly Lights – a world first for the UK landmark – of Ben Hayoun-Stépanian’s film, From The Void To The Full. Spanning from the ocean’s depths to the farthest reaches of space, the surreal collage-based journey explores our evolving world, cosmic wonders, and humanity’s drive for discovery through fire and electricity.
Meanwhile, a collection of extraterrestrial-inspired ceramic artworks – co-created with local youth groups* in a workshop developed by the artist – is on display at the Cabinet of Curiosities in St James’s Market Pavilion until the end of May.
Beyond these cosmic installations, West End visitors can explore late-night gallery openings from world-class institutions at the Art of London Gallery HOP! and Friday Lates at the National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery, and Royal Academy, making Art After Dark the ultimate cultural night out.
Rachel Williams, local city worker, said: “I was just on my way home from work when I stumbled upon these glowing rocks in the middle of Piccadilly Circus, emitting incredible sounds that had travelled to the Moon and back! I even got to glimpse into space through powerful telescopes – such a surreal experience!”
