The beloved documentary-maker was broadcasted across the world-famous screen spreading the word about the power of plants to launch the opening of The Green Planet AR Experience…
Photo: PA Matt Alexander
Sir David Attenborough loomed large in London yesterday, appearing on Piccadilly Lights to temporarily reclaim the famous Piccadilly Circus location for the plant world.
The twenty-minute takeover, which took places at dusk, saw the celebrated naturalist dominate Europe’s largest advertising display to remind passers-by that plants are the basis of all life and that humanity depends upon them for every mouthful of food and lungful of air.
The giant 3D animation then saw an entire concrete backdrop gradually burst into green life – with an abundance of foliage eventually covering the iconic screen.
And Attenborough’s message, was clear: ‘We must now work with plants, make the world a little greener, a little wilder. If we do this our future will be healthier, safer and in my experience, happier.’
In the fifth and final episode of The Green Planet broadcast on Sunday, Attenborough was seen visiting the iconic London intersection to reveal how plants manage to survive and thrive in spite of the city’s inhospitable infrastructure.
The ‘greening’ of the legendary Piccadilly Lights, was complemented by a huge plant installation at the adjacent Fountain of Eros, as part of a series of sustainability focussed pop-ups along Regent Street, supported by The Crown Estate.
The green installation on Eros saw the fountain and its steps blanketed in growing seasonal flowers and foliage: Spring bulbs and their companion hellebores; cover planting including ivy and clover; and a final dressing of moss.
Floral artist Alice McCabe transformed the monument to resemble a living forest floor, with trees and plants blended to suggest dappled pools of light and shade-loving flowers and ferns, including pruned branches donated by Kew Gardens, to evoke a secret glen.
Plants nestled in the installation were gifted to passers-by to take home or to their place of work to help make Britain greener.
The Green Planet AR Experience is currently sold out, however for more information visit thegreenplanetexperience.co.uk
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