Pierre Vivant - Traffic Light Tree (1995-98)

Once upon a time there were three London plane trees on Westferry Road. When one was removed due to sickness, Pierre Vivant was commissioned to create a new tree to go in its place.

Traffic Light Tree stands on the roundabout, at the junction with Bank Street.
Constructed of painted steel and lights, it is eight metres tall and each set of lights is on a cycle controlled by computers.

Pierre said: "The sculpture imitates the natural landscape of the adjacent London plane trees, while the changing pattern of the lights reveals and reflects the never ending rhythm of the surrounding domestic, financial and commercial activities."

Pierre Vivant was born in Paris in 1952. Since 1984 he has undertaken only commissioned work, the majority of this public and site specific. He commutes between studios in Paris and Oxford.