The immersive installation invites visitors into a shared space of voice memory and reflection.
A Landmark US Premiere With Extended Dates
Renowned artist Es Devlin has brought her celebrated choral sculpture CONGREGATION to the United States for its debut at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York. First unveiled in London in 2024, the work generated such strong interest that PAC NYC extended its run through January 4, 2026. After an initial presentation in late October and early November 2025, the installation returned on December 9 as part of the ICONS OF CULTURE series, with tickets offered on a Pay What You Wish basis to encourage broad public access.
Portraiture Rooted in Collaboration and Care
At the heart of CONGREGATION is a monumental tiered sculpture displaying 50 large scale projection mapped portraits of Londoners who have experienced forced displacement. Es Devlin refers to each participant as a co author, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the process. Devlin began every portrait session with 45 minutes of silent drawing before inviting the sitter to share their story, a method designed to confront her own assumptions. Each figure holds a glowing box that reveals a personalized animated film sequence created together with Devlin, capturing the sitter’s inner life and journey.
Sound Voice and Collective Presence
The installation’s visual power is deepened by an enveloping soundscape composed by Polyphonia. Poetry by Kinshasa born writer JJ Bola is woven together with excerpts from Max Richter’s Recomposed The Four Seasons, culminating in a resonant reworking of Anton Bruckner’s Locus Iste. Voices from multiple choirs including the London Bulgarian Choir The South African Cultural Gospel Choir UK Genesis Sixteen and The Choir of King’s College London fill the space. Together image and sound transform the venue into a contemplative environment centered on dignity connection and shared humanity.
