This December, Apple is making a visible statement about digital creativity, transforming London's Battersea Power Station into a giant projection screen for festive artwork. This is the result of a public competition in which digital Christmas trees were designed on the iPad. The winning entries now illuminate the iconic chimneys of the listed building daily, blending modern technology with festive tradition.
Battersea Power Station has become a regular venue for creative Apple installations in recent years. Following works by David Hockney and Aardman, the creators of Wallace and Gromit, Apple is opening the stage to members of the general public for the first time this year. This will result in a project that not only showcases artistic diversity but also demonstrates how accessible digital design has become with the iPad.
The Your Tree on Battersea competition
The competition, titled "Your Tree on Battersea," was open to people across the UK. The aim was to create a personal digital Christmas tree using an iPad. A total of 24 winners were selected. These entries will now be projected onto the building's facade and chimneys daily between 5:00 PM and 10:30 PM until December 24th.
The projections aren't alone. Alongside submissions from the public, Apple is also showcasing designs from well-known personalities and artists. These include Kylie Minogue, Sir Stephen Fry, Maro Itoje, Oliver Jeffers, David Shrigley OBE, and Chawawa. The mix of established creatives and new voices ensures a wide range of styles and ideas.
Apple describes the competition as a continuation of its tradition of highlighting festive creativity. What's new is that participation was not limited to artists or celebrities. The platform on which the works are presented is by no means small. The four 101-meter-high chimneys of Battersea Power Station offer an exceptionally large surface area, visible far beyond the Thames.
A look back at previous Apple installations at Battersea Power Station
The current competition is the latest in a series of creative projects that Apple has implemented at this location in recent years. In 2023, David Hockney designed the installation Bigger Christmas Trees directly on the iPad Pro. His work demonstrated how well the device lends itself to expressive digital drawings and how impressive these can be when projected at a great height.
The following year saw another special installation. Aardman used the iPhone 16 Pro Max to create a short animation. The studio, known for Wallace and Gromit, demonstrated how even complex creative projects could be realized with Apple's mobile devices. This projection, too, transformed the power station's chimneys and washing towers into a large-scale, illuminated stage for digital art at night.
Significance of this year's projection
With "Your Tree on Battersea," Apple takes things a step further. The project demonstrates how accessible creative tools have become. An iPad is all it takes to develop a design that then appears on one of London's most iconic buildings. The installation once again puts Battersea Power Station in the spotlight, making the entire area a focal point in the festive cityscape throughout December.
The combination of historical industrial elements and digital art underscores how tradition and modern technology complement each other. The projections create an experience that both accompanies the festive season and highlights Apple's role as a promoter of creativity.
Apple extends the tradition of digital Christmas art
The competition demonstrates the powerful impact of digital design when creative ideas and technological possibilities converge. Battersea Power Station is once again transformed into a place where art and technology meet. The 24 winning entries, complemented by works from renowned artists, give the building a new festive identity this year. Apple continues its tradition of enriching the holidays with digital art projections while, for the first time, opening its doors to people who want to showcase their own ideas on a grand stage. (Image: Apple)
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