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AIDS Memorial

Context Office is working with artist Anya Gallaccio to realise the ‘Halo Tree’ National AIDS Memorial for AMUK.

The new memorial will commemorate those lost and those still affected by HIV/ AIDS. In the 1980s and 90s HIV and AIDS disproportionally affected marginalised groups. Many people from all over the country, and worldwide, sought support In London. The location at Store Street is close to the Bloomsbury Clinic, the busiest HIV clinic in the country, and the former Middlesex Hospital which housed the first AIDS ward in the UK. The artwork is inspired by a felled tree, made in stone and faience. Set on a West End street amongst living trees, the continuum of time and growth is interrupted, missing rings stand close by inviting public interaction, pause and gathering. Aberdeen granite has been chosen for its rich natural variation of colour and finishes. The bark of the London plane tree, a survivor species, is translated into glazed ceramic faience.

We helped Anya and the team decide on materials, scale, and integration to the streetscape within the Bloomsbury Conservation Area. We worked on pedestrian access requirements as well as an approach to the care of existing trees, liaising with stakeholders, councillors and officers. We have proposed new paving, signage, lighting and seating. Context Office prepared the planning application documents for submission. The designs received planning approval and we are now helping the team deliver the new memorial.

Client: AMUK and Anya Gallaccio
Team: with Rinehart Herbst, Structure Workshop, NRP, Newmark
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AIDS Memorial

Context Office is working with artist Anya Gallaccio to realise the ‘Halo Tree’ National AIDS Memorial for AMUK.

The new memorial will commemorate those lost and those still affected by HIV/ AIDS. In the 1980s and 90s HIV and AIDS disproportionally affected marginalised groups. Many people from all over the country, and worldwide, sought support In London. The location at Store Street is close to the Bloomsbury Clinic, the busiest HIV clinic in the country, and the former Middlesex Hospital which housed the first AIDS ward in the UK. The artwork is inspired by a felled tree, made in stone and faience. Set on a West End street amongst living trees, the continuum of time and growth is interrupted, missing rings stand close by inviting public interaction, pause and gathering. Aberdeen granite has been chosen for its rich natural variation of colour and finishes. The bark of the London plane tree, a survivor species, is translated into glazed ceramic faience.

We helped Anya and the team decide on materials, scale, and integration to the streetscape within the Bloomsbury Conservation Area. We worked on pedestrian access requirements as well as an approach to the care of existing trees, liaising with stakeholders, councillors and officers. We have proposed new paving, signage, lighting and seating. Context Office prepared the planning application documents for submission. The designs received planning approval and we are now helping the team deliver the new memorial.

Client: AMUK and Anya Gallaccio
Team: with Rinehart Herbst, Structure Workshop, NRP, Newmark