Placemaking Project by Gilbert Menassa, Global Head of Strategic Communications at MK Illumination
NAME OF PROJECT: Here We Glow
DEVELOPER: MKxART
OWNER: Westfield London
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: HERE WE GLOW is the debut project of MKxART, the new creative initiative by MK Illumination UK. In close collaboration with Westfield London, the team curated an immersive public art trail featuring two internationally acclaimed artists: Liz West (UK) and Angelo Bonello (Italy). The exhibition ran from January 23 to March 2, 2025—making it the longest running art trail in London that year.
Liz West’s bespoke installation, Visible Light, was inspired by Westfield’s award-winning triangular skylight. The work featured 22 translucent prisms cascading through two floors in a vivid spectrum of colors, spanning 6 meters wide and 12 meters long. Visually striking and spatially ambitious, it redefined the interior as a radiant canvas of light.
Angelo Bonello’s Tessellis left Italy for the very first time to be showcased in London. The piece comprised 18 illuminated elements inspired by nature, arranged across a 120-metre pathway, complete with a custom soundtrack and interactive lighting choreography—controlled remotely from Rome.
The full project took five months to be realized, involving tight coordination between MK Illumination, Westfield, and installation partner Production Place. The technical and logistical complexity of balancing artistic integrity with public safety in a high-traffic location like Westfield was overcome through years of experience and agile planning.
This collaboration was a natural evolution: MK Illumination has been a trusted creative partner to Westfield for many years, especially known for their large-scale Christmas installations. Building on this strong relationship, MK was the ideal partner to bring a bold new artistic vision to life. By connecting Westfield with two of the most respected public art talents in Europe, MKxART helped to position the center as a cultural destination beyond retail.
The initiative also achieved significant business impact: January is typically a low-traffic month for retail destinations, but HERE WE GLOW brought renewed footfall, extended dwell time, and wide social media exposure. The event was featured in over 50 media outlets, including Condé Nast Traveller, Visit London, The Londonist, and Yahoo News.
With HERE WE GLOW, MK Illumination UK has not only launched its first MKxART project but also set a bold new standard for experiential art in public spaces. It is placemaking at its most creative, collaborative, and culturally relevant.
Find more top placemaking projects here.
