Fantastic Beasts Wand Installation opens in London

Fantastic Beasts Wand Installation opens in London

0 comments 📅18 October 2018, 13:42

In the run-up to the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and to raise awareness for J.K. Rowling’s international children’s charity Lumos, a new wand installation has been launched, lighting up Peter’s Hill in London.

Nine of the wands featured in the Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter films have been transformed into 15-foot models, illuminating the walkway between Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral. Launched by the Grenadier Guards performing a live rendition of music from the franchise, the installation was unveiled by prop maker Pierre Bohanna, who created the wands used in the films in close collaboration with J.K. Rowling.

“It’s amazing to see something you’ve worked on for two decades celebrated in such an awe-inspiring way,” said Bohanna on seeing the display. “Each of these wands were born in the extraordinary imagination of J.K. Rowling, and bringing them to life has been a labour of love for Stuart Craig, myself, and all the filmmakers, artists and actors who’ve had a hand in their creation for the films. To now see them realised in truly larger-than-life fashion for fans to enjoy is truly gratifying, and I thank Wild Creations for their wonderful work.”

From 18 October to 13 November, the giant wands will illuminate Peter’s Hill each evening with a short light display to music every 30 minutes, from 6:45pm to 10:45pm. Each Wednesday, fans can also visit the installation to take part in the following activities:

  • Wednesday 24th October (1pm – 7pm on the hour): Bring your wands and watch wand demonstrator Paul Harris reveal how to cast spells.
  • Wednesday 31st October (4pm – 10pm every half hour): Come and listen to a talk on the wands, with a particular focus on the Dark Arts.
  • Wednesday 7th November (7:30pm): Watch a military marching band perform music from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.

The installation is part of the City of London Arts Initiative for public art in partnership with J.K. Rowling’s charity Lumos, whose mission is to end the harmful institutionalisation of children around the world. It is being commemorated by a limited edition pin badge, which features Newt Scamander’s wand and the Occamy serpent, which is being sold to raise vital funds for the charity. The pin badge is available to purchase at the installation and online at www.wearelumos.org/fantasticbeasts

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald opens in the UK and US on 16 November 2018.

Photos by Joe Pepler.

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