Steve McQueen: Caribs’ Leap
Project Overview:
Client:
Tate Modern
Project Lead:
LUX Technical
Date:
February 2020
Location:
Tate Modern, London
Project Overview
LUX was commissioned by Tate Modern to deliver the technical infrastructure for the exterior presentation of Steve McQueen’s acclaimed moving-image work Caribs’ Leap as part of the artist’s major retrospective exhibition.
Rather than being housed within the gallery spaces, the work was presented on the river-facing façade of Tate Modern, overlooking the Thames and transforming the exterior of the building into a public platform for contemporary art. To realise this ambitious installation, LUX supplied and installed a large-format ROE CB5 LED video wall, suspended from the front of the building using a bespoke rigging solution developed specifically for the project.
Working in collaboration with Tate Modern and specialist rigging contractor Unusual Rigging, the team delivered a technically complex installation that enabled the artwork to be experienced both by gallery visitors and by audiences across London’s South Bank.
The Challenge:
Installing a large-scale LED screen on the exterior façade of Tate Modern presented a unique set of technical and logistical challenges.
The 8m x 6m ROE CB5 LED display was required to be suspended from the front of the building in a location that offered limited physical access for installation, alignment and maintenance. The prominent public-facing position demanded a robust engineering solution capable of supporting the structure safely while maintaining the visual integrity of both the artwork and the building itself.
A significant consideration throughout the project was the impact of wind loading on the installation. Suspended on Tate Modern’s river-facing façade, the structure was exposed to environmental forces that required careful assessment during both the design and installation phases. Working alongside specialist rigging contractor Unusual Rigging, the suspension system was engineered to safely accommodate these conditions while maintaining the stability and integrity of the display throughout the exhibition period.
In addition to the physical installation, the project required a dependable playback infrastructure capable of delivering the artwork automatically and consistently throughout the exhibition schedule.
The Solution:
The ROE CB5 system was selected specifically for its suitability in a highly visible exterior environment. With a brightness output of 6,000 nits, the display provided the performance required to present Steve McQueen’s work with exceptional clarity against London’s changing daylight conditions, ensuring the content remained impactful and visible from across the Thames and the surrounding South Bank.
Equally important was the ROE Air Frame system, whose integrated rigging design provided a robust and efficient solution for suspending a large-format LED display from the façade of Tate Modern. The flexibility and engineering integrity of the system allowed the project team to develop a bespoke suspension arrangement tailored to the unique challenges of the site.
Working alongside specialist rigging contractor Unusual Rigging, LUX developed a custom suspension solution tailored to the requirements of the building façade. The design addressed both the restricted access conditions and the environmental loads associated with an exposed riverside location, ensuring the display could operate safely and reliably throughout the exhibition.
In addition to the display infrastructure, LUX supplied the complete media server and playback system for the installation. The solution was configured to provide automated, scheduled playback of Caribs’ Leap, ensuring reliable operation and consistent presentation of the artwork throughout the exhibition programme.
Through detailed planning and close collaboration between all stakeholders, the installation was completed successfully while maintaining both the artistic intent of the work and the operational requirements of one of the world’s leading cultural institutions.
Technical Highlights:
- 8m x 6m ROE CB5 LED video wall
- 6,000-nit high-brightness display for exterior viewing
- ROE Air Frame structural support system
- Bespoke façade suspension solution
- Wind-load engineered installation
- Specialist rigging delivered in collaboration with Unusual Rigging
- Complete media server and automated playback solution
- Exterior installation on Tate Modern’s river-facing façade
- Technical delivery for Steve McQueen’s major retrospective exhibition
Technical Insight
Tri-tip turkey strip steak drumstick salami venison porchetta capicola chislic pastrami meatball tenderloin
Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky. Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig pastrami ground round. Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola. Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Add Your Heading Text Here
Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky.
- Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig pastrami ground round.
- Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola.
- Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Add Your Heading Text Here
Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky.
- Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig pastrami ground round.
- Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola.
- Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Heading:
Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky.
Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig pastrami ground round. Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola. Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Heading:
Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky.
- Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig
- pastrami ground round. Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola. Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Heading:
Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky.
Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig pastrami ground round. Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola. Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Heading:
Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky.
- Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig
- pastrami ground round. Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola. Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Heading:
Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky.
Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig pastrami ground round. Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola. Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Heading:
Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky.
Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig pastrami ground round. Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola. Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Outcome
The completed installation successfully brought Steve McQueen’s Caribs’Leap into the public realm, extending the exhibition beyond the gallery and transforming Tate Modern’s river frontage into a platform for contemporary moving-image art.
By combining high-performance LED technology with innovative rigging solutions, LUX enabled Tate Modern to realise an ambitious curatorial vision, ensuring the artwork could be experienced by both gallery visitors and the wider public.
The project demonstrated LUX’s ability to deliver technically complex installations within challenging cultural environments, supporting world-class artists and institutions through specialist technical production, engineering expertise and creative problem-solving.
Project Summary:
Client:
Tate Modern
Project Lead:
LUX Technical
Date:
February 2020
Location:
Tate Modern, London
Services Deployed:
Disciplines Deployed: