VCD Resources - 2024-2028 - Es Devlin

ES DEVLIN

Netflix - Abstract: The Art of Design: Es Devlin

Es Devlin is an English artist and stage designer. Her creative practice spans a wide range of media, often integrating light and projected film onto kinetic sculptural forms.

Devlin’s career began in narrative theatre and through her career she has worked extensively in the field. She has won several awards for set design on Broadway & The West End.

Beyond theatre, Devlin has created captivating installations. Her luminous fluorescent red “Fifth Lion” sculpture roared AI-generated collective poetry to crowds in Trafalgar Square during the London Design Festival in September 2018. She also designed “The Singing Tree,” a collective choral carol installation at the Victoria and Albert Museum, blending machine learning with sound and light.c

Devlin’s projects often explore labyrinthine and map-based geometries. Notable examples include the Mirror maze in Peckham (2016) and the 7000-square-foot hotel room odyssey “Room2022” at Art Basel Miami (2017).

Devlin made history by designing the UK Pavilion at the 2020 World Expo in Dubai—the first woman commissioned by the UK for a world exposition since 1851.

Red Lion

Mirror Maze

UK Pavillion at Dubai Expo

Beyonce Stage Design

TAKING INSPIRATION FROM DEVLIN'S WORK

Multidisciplinary Approach: Devlin seamlessly blends art, architecture, and technology. In your designs, you might like to explore the mix of diverse disciplines and integrate them into your design concepts. For instance, how could you incorporate interactive elements for the crowd, include kinetic (moving) parts, or sculptural elements?

Narrative and Conceptual Thinking: Devlin’s work often tells a story or conveys a message. You might consider a narrative that you could incorporate into the festival design. What emotions or themes do you want to evoke? How can architectural elements reinforce that narrative?

Scale and Impact: Devlin’s large-scale installations captivate audiences. How can you experiment with scale—whether it’s oversized structures, towering stages, or monumental entranceways, how can size enhance the festival experience?

Spatial Dynamics: Devlin’s designs transform spaces. Your site analysis should include considerations for how your architectural concepts could alter the festival environment. How does the design affect movement, sightlines, and crowd flow?

Audience Interaction: Devlin’s work invites audience participation. Consider the opportunity for interactive zones—places where festival-goers engage with the architecture, whether through touch, sound, or light.