Warwickshire's Compton Verney will welcome the ‘Timisien’ Luminarium for the very first time this August.

Since 1992, Architects of Air’s luminaria have enchanted over 3 million visitors in more than 40 countries around the world including Madrid, Sydney, Barcelona and Los Angeles to name a few.

Timisien takes its name from the Romanian city of Timișoara, whose European Capital of Culture celebration was to have been the première presenter until the pandemic arrived.

Visitors have the chance to explore the sculpture, experiencing the beauty of light and colour as they move through a dazzling maze of domes, columns and tunnels of the Luminarium. The Luminarium is half the size of a Rugby Pitch and each of the domes immerses people in a unique environment.

Comprised of 20 domes in total, 18 of the 20 domes form the central labyrinth that is the most disorientating part of the luminarium. Colour is brought into these domes via ‘skylights’, unobtrusive finials surmounting each of Timisien’s 21 domes. The finials control colour and intensity in each dome where they shine below and encourage the visitor to look up.

The addition of two spacious outer domes is to give visitors respite from their wandering in the maze. Stretching high over visitors’ heads the expansive canopy of the monumental Main Dome features a rare heptagonal motif from Islamic traditional architecture. The smaller outer dome is inspired by Gaudi’s Casa Guell.

The 40+ meter exhibition is truly unique experience for visitors who will have the chance to be immersed in a world of light and colour.

The 'Timisien' Luminarium will show at Compton Verney from Tuesday 1 – Sunday 6 August, find out more and book tickets at comptonverney.org.uk.

Photo credit: Jane Barlow