Christmas lights with a difference on the South Bank

David Batchelor's work involves the modification of everyday objects. Taking inspiration from the current restoration work to transform the Royal Festival Hall, Batchelor is using brilliant colour and light to create alternative displays of Christmas lights.

Along the west side of the Royal Festival Hall he has applied a range of coloured lighting to eight objects within the building site area, transforming pallets, bins and cement mixers from mundane building tools into extraordinary glowing forms.

The riverside in front of the Royal Festival Hall has been illuminated with festoons of 500 lights, each in its own recycled plastic bottle.

"I like to create temporary projects in public spaces, inserting something that will only be there for a few days or weeks, but will alter the experience of the space during that time," explains David Batchelor. "I've always thought that the Royal Festival Hall is one of London's greatest buildings, so it's great to have this opportunity to work here."

The Christmas lights are part of an initiative by Hayward Gallery director Ralph Rugoff to extend the visual arts programme outside the confines of the gallery: "I'm delighted that David Batchelor is the first artist to create the annual artist designed Christmas lights, which will enliven the space and engage visitors as soon as they arrive."