Wolfgang Buttress’ Liminal installation blends the boundaries between 2D and 3D through a kaleidoscopic view on the river Thames

Liminal is placed opposite the Tate Modern on the northern riverbank of the Thames. It alters the perception of its viewers through a variety of mirror, satin and matt aluminium panels. The artwork by Wolfgang Buttress encourages passers-by to look through the kaleidoscopic lens which shapes an architectural painting of the Thames.  

Inspired by J.M.W Turner, Whistler and Claude Monet paintings of the Thames, Liminal aims to reflect on the rivers opaque and mysterious quality. The 4.5-metre-high installation also comes with an app. Connected with a sonar buoy it expresses the real time movement of river life and currents as light and sound.

The site-specific installation is the result of a competition organized by the London Festival of Architecture. A big reason why the design was chosen Tamsie Thomson, director of the London Festival of Architecture, explained: “At the London Festival of Architecture, we strive to champion new perceptions of the familiar, and it’s been brilliant to see how Liminal does just this, capturing the river’s life, activity and secrets through a whole new lens.”