Telephone boxes get an artistic makeover for charity
Piazza Café
Mon - Thurs:
8.30am - 9.00pm
Fri - Sat:
8.30am - 10.00pm
Sun:
8.30am - 9.00pm
Unit 6 The Market
Covent Garden, London
WC2E 8RA
GEO:51.5123,-0.122877
Phone: 020 836 6349
One of London’s best-loved icons has had a makeover and the big reveal is on now in Covent Garden and across London. As part of the BT ArtBox project, leading artists including Sir Peter Blake and Giles Deacon were invited to transform life-size replicas of the red telephone box in aid of the charity ChildLine.
The creations went on display in and around the Piazza on 18th June and include padded, blinged-up and painted versions of Gilbert Scott’s classic 1936 kiosk. From Heart FM’s tribute to radio stars to Harvey Nichols’ fashion-forward design, the artworks are eclectic, fun and often surprising.
The project celebrates 25 years of ChildLine, which is a free, 24-hour helpline for children in danger or distress. It has helped more than 2.6 million children and young people since its beginning and fundraising events like the BT ArtBox ensure it can keep on doing so.
Once the open-air exhibition finishes on 16th July, the telephone boxes will be auctioned off. A selection will go under the hammer at the National Portrait Gallery on 18th July, but if you miss out on this VIP Sotheby’s event, you can try bidding online via the eBay auction.
You’ll never look at a phone box quite the same again.
For more information, visit www.btartbox.com
