Wake up your senses and think about your place in the world. Olafur Eliasson believes art can inspire people to take action. His artworks explore the key concerns of our time, including climate emergency, sustainability, energy access and migration.
Eliasson uses reflections and shadows to play with the way we perceive and interact with the world.
Journey through fog, walk through kaleidoscopic tunnels and start making art!
What to expect when you visit
We welcome all families to Tate Modern and the Olafur Eliasson: In real life exhibition. We have Visitor Assistants ready to help you and direct you to baby change facilities, the café and accessible toilets. We encourage visitors to drop their pushchairs off in the cloakroom before exploring the exhibition. Ear defenders can be borrowed from the Information desks.
The images below show your journey as you enter the building and some of the artworks you will see on your way to the exhibition. There is also monofrequency lighting in some of the lifts as you go up to the exhibition.
Find out more about accessibility at Tate Modern.
There is a family leaflet available called 'The Weather Walk'. This will be given to all families as you enter the exhibition.
You can see a huge waterfall at the entrance to Tate Modern.
Olafur Eliasson, Waterfall, 2019 Courtesy the artist; neugerriemschneider, Berlin; Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / Los Angeles Installation view: Tate Modern, London Photo: Anders Sune Berg © 2019 Olafur Eliasson
Before you enter the exhibition you will be drenched in yellow light.
Olafur Eliasson (b.1967) Room for one colour, 1997 Installation view at PinchukArtCentre, Kiev, 2011 Photo: Dmitry Baranov Courtesy of the artist; neugerriemschneider, Berlin; Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / Los Angeles © 1997 Olafur Eliasson
A Visitor Assistant will be at the entrance to the exhibition © Tate.
1. Step into nature
Olafur Eliasson, Moss wall, 1994 Moderna Museet, Stockholm 2015 Photo: Anders Sune Berg Courtesy of the artist; neugerriemschneider, Berlin; Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / Los Angeles © 1994 Olafur Eliasson
Smell moss, see a giant waterfall, walk into a rainbow and through fog. Let your kids take the lead and experience artworks that explore the artist’s interest in nature, geometry, colour theory and sensory perception.
2. See science mixed with art
Olafur Eliasson, Big Bang Fountain, 2014 Moderna Museet, Stockholm 2015 Photo: Anders Sune Berg © 2014 Olafur Eliasson
Olafur Eliasson wants us to think about the world. In Big Bang Fountain (above) experience how light and water create momentary sculptures. Check out the film about his recent project Ice Watch, which brought melting ice from the Greenland ice sheet to Tate Modern!
3. Make your own art
Olafur Eliasson The cubic structural evolution project, 2004 White LEGO bricks (various sizes), wood, mirror QAGOMA Photo: Mark Sherwood, QAGOMA © 2004 Olafur Eliasson
Olafur Eliasson, The structural evolution project, 2001 SESC Pompeia, São Paulo, 2011 © 2001 Olafur Eliasson
Eliasson wants people to experience and make art together. In the exhibition you can get involved by building 3D structures using Zometool construction sets in The Expanded Studio. From 26 July - 18 August 2019 you can co-create a new London cityscape with white Lego bricks in The cubic structural evolution project in the Turbine Hall.
4. Dance in colour
Olafur Eliasson, Your uncertain shadow (colour), 2010 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary Collection, Vienna. Photo: María del Pilar García Ayensa / Studio Olafur Eliasson © 2010 Olafur Eliasson
Eliasson creates artworks that can be shared by visitors of all ages. Get the whole family involved and play with light, water and reflections. See the world around you turn into shades of yellow and black in Room for one colour and use your body to activate the artworks.
5. Light up a dark corner
Little Sun Solar lamp by Olafur Eliasson and Frederik Ottesen Photo: The Davis Enterprise © 2012 Olafur Eliasson
The exhibition explores Eliasson’s engagement with issues of sustainable energy and the climate emergency. This includes his solar-energy business Little Sun, which aims to expand access to solar power. You can buy your own Little Sun in the Tate Shop as well as other science experiments to carry on the fun at home.
Visit Olafur Eliasson: In real life at Tate Modern, until 5 January 2020.
