Seen the psychedelic new landmark on Granary Square? This brilliant explosion of camp and creativity is the work of queer British Argentine-Japanese artist and designer Adam Nathaniel Furman.
Known worldwide for their irreverent architectural creations and infectious love of colour, pattern and ornament, Furman’s ‘Proud Little Pyramid’ is designed to “monumentalise joy” after such a difficult year. It’s ‘proud’, of course, because Pride doesn’t end on June 30th.
And it’s meant to be a place for a rendezvous; a very visible meeting spot indeed. The 31ft pyramid has communal seating integrated into its base, a beacon in the centre of King’s Cross, signposting the entrance to Coal Drops Yard.
Furman’s overriding ambition is, he says, to decorate and improve public spaces, helping to break down social barriers and to improve people’s everyday lives.
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During the six-month residency he’ll use King’s Cross as a creative playground, delivering multiple “fabulous artworks” across the site as well as a series of pop-up retail experiences, in person and virtual events.
“King’s Cross has been the backdrop for so much of my life,” he says. “I have learnt, loved and laughed here. In the 90s I was regular at iconic nightclubs The Cross and the Scala and later a student and then teacher at Central St Martin’s.”
While he has taken inspiration for his residency from King’s Cross’ recent queer history, from the 80s through to the early 2000s, Furman says he’s also looked back at London’s Victorian heritage “in which dramatic monuments of all sizes, from water fountains and public loos, to tube stations, memorials and town halls brought accessible decorative art to public spaces.”
The main objective? “I want to make history – and its complexity – instantly present and fun. And the opportunity to use this vast and striking space – once my playground, now my canvas – is beyond thrilling.”
Catch the Proud Little Pyramid all summer until September. Follow @kingscrossn1c and @adamnathanielfurman for more
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