'Lunch Break' by KHBT and Ottmar Hörl © Luke O'Donovan
A Spectacle in the City
In the summer of 2019, Londoners and visitors alike encountered a striking spectacle outside St Paul’s Cathedral: forty golden angels suspended in mid-air, gently swaying above the heads of passers-by. The Lunch Break installation, designed by KHBT in collaboration with artist Ottmar Hörl, became an unexpected and uplifting moment within the urban landscape, forming a poetic connection between contemporary art, architecture, and the historic grandeur of St Paul’s.
A New Home in Nature
Now, after captivating the city, the angels have found a new home – one that offers a stark contrast to the bustling streets of London. Nestled within a serene woodland near Leominster in Herefordshire, these celestial figures have been carefully placed amidst the trees, creating an entirely different experience for those who encounter them.
'Lunch Break' at Croft Lodge
A Change in Perspective
Unlike their original urban setting, where they floated above a sea of hurried footsteps and daily commutes, the angels now exist in quiet harmony with nature. Almost thirty of them have been scattered throughout the forest, appearing suddenly among the foliage, peeking through sun-dappled branches, or standing in quiet contemplation beneath the canopy. Their golden presence contrasts beautifully with the deep greens and earthy browns of their surroundings, bringing a sense of wonder and surprise to those who wander through the woods.
'Lunch Break' at Croft Lodge
The Power of Transformation
This transformation speaks to the enduring impact of Lunch Break beyond its original installation. It also demonstrates the power of temporary architecture and public art to find meaningful afterlives, ensuring that their influence extends far beyond a single moment in time. In their new environment, the angels no longer swing above the heads of city dwellers but instead offer a different kind of pause – a gentle reminder to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of the unexpected.
'Lunch Break' at Croft Lodge
Rosa Rogina, Director of the London Festival of Architecture, reflects on the significance of the angels’ new setting: “The relocation of Lunch Break is a wonderful example of how temporary installations can have lasting impact. Seeing the angels find a new home in the tranquil woodlands of Herefordshire is a testament to the power of public art to evolve, inspire, and continue connecting people to their surroundings in unexpected ways.”
An Everlasting Legacy
The relocation of Lunch Break is not just about preservation; it is about evolution. The angels have traded the structured rhythms of city life for the organic stillness of the natural world. In doing so, they continue to challenge and redefine boundaries – between art and nature, movement and stillness, past and future.
For those who once marveled at Lunch Break in London, knowing that its spirit lives on in the peaceful woodlands of Herefordshire offers a new kind of joy. And for those who now stumble upon the angels in their forest home, the installation remains what it has always been: a golden moment of pause and reflection, an invitation to look up, and a reminder that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.
