Envision a continuous line drawing suspended in the air. This is Porte de Couleur. Created by Lothar Götz this sculpture stands as a gateway formed of steel. The steel intersects to form triangles.
The Porte de Couleur sculpture was installed in 2018. It resides in Glasshouse Gardens within the International Quarter of London. Artwise curated this exciting commission. The artist conceived it as a continuous line drawing in space.
Imagine open walls framing views. You can see landmarks of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park through them. The architectural sculpture plays with the changing levels of the land. It forms slanting parallelograms. These are not rectangles.
Consider the roof. It features an open geometric structure. This structure holds triangles of different colored glass. They intersect at the corners. Natural light casts colored shapes and shadows. These dance on the ground. The light is in constant flux. It changes depending on the time of day and year. This allows for a playful interaction with all those who walk through Porte de Couleur.
Lothar Götz collaborated with landscape architects ALD Ltd. He ensured that the sculpture is in harmony with the planting around it. The planting complements the sculpture.
Porte de Couleur forms part of The Line. This is London’s first dedicated art walk. It spans a route along the Meridian. It stretches from The O2 in Greenwich to Stratford. Artwise serves as curatorial consultants for The Line.
Lendlease commissioned the Porte de Couleur sculpture. It was on behalf of SCBD and LCR. Packman Lucas provided the structural engineering. Applied Landscape Design Ltd handled the landscape design. PAD Contracts fabricated the sculpture.
Lothar Götz wanted the artwork to be playful. He wanted it to be interactive and welcoming. Residents enjoy a special view from above. The aerial view is like an abstract drawing.
Think about the interplay of light and shadow. Feel the steel beneath your fingertips. Notice how the colors shift as the sun moves. The Porte de Couleur is more than just a sculpture. It is an experience.