Wizarding World Installation Illuminates London for a Month Ahead of Fantastic Beasts Release
By Leigh Debbage on Saturday, October 20, 2018
An enchanting installation is gracing London for the next month, bringing J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World to life in the capital.
Launched by the Grenadier Guards performing a live rendition of music from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, Fantastic Beasts: Wizarding World Wands supporting Lumos is live until November 13th.
The installation, part of the City of London Arts Initiative for public art, was created to help raise awareness for J.K. Rowling’s international children’s charity Lumos in the lead-up to the 16th November release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated new Wizarding World™ adventure Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Head prop maker Pierre Bohanna, who created the wands used in the Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter films in close collaboration with J.K. Rowling, was at the early morning launch event and spoke about how it felt to see his props transformed into fifteen-foot models to be enjoyed by the public.
“It’s amazing to see something you’ve worked on for two decades celebrated in such an awe-inspiring way,” Bohanna stated. “Each of these wands were born in the extraordinary imagination of J.K. Rowling, and bringing them to life has been a labour of love for Stuart Craig, myself, and all the filmmakers, artists and actors who’ve had a hand in their creation for the films. To now see them realized in truly larger-than-life fashion for fans to enjoy is truly gratifying, and I thank Wild Creations for their wonderful work.”
The giant wands will illuminate Peter’s Hill from 6:45 p.m. each night, with a short light display to music every 30 minutes, and deluminate at 10:45 p.m. each evening until 13th November.
Fans visiting the installation can also attend the following activities taking place at the site each Wizarding Wednesday:
- Wednesday, 24th October: Bring your wands and watch wand demonstrator Paul Harris reveal how to cast spells;
- Wednesday, 31st October (Halloween): Come and listen to a talk on the wands, with a particular focus on the Dark Arts;
- Wednesday, 7th November: Watch a military marching band perform music from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts
The partnership with Lumos, whose mission is to end the harmful institutionalisation of children around the world, is being commemorated by a limited edition wand pin badge that will be sold to the public to raise vital funds for the charity’s work. For more information, or to purchase the exclusive pin badge, which features Newt Scamander’s wand and the Occamy serpent, please visit www.wearelumos.org/fantasticbeasts
See the launch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKEwsakBhrM
Involved agency: Premier