A monumental land art installation and social sculpture built from agricultural materials on Hove Promenade. Created by Ivan Morison and Heather Peak, this world premiere serves as a 'love letter to Brighton' and was built in collaboration with the local charity Making It Out.
The 60th edition of the Brighton Festival is introducing a significant land art commission to the seafront this spring, titled Soft Machines. This installation will be situated on Hove Promenade from 2 May to 24 May 2026, serving as a major visual component of the festival's landmark anniversary. Created by Brighton-based artist Ivan Morison and his long-term collaborator Heather Peak, the project is a world premiere and represents one of the first original productions commissioned under the festival's new director, Lucy Davies. The artists share a deep history with the city, as Brighton is the place where they first met and began their collaborative career, which is why they have framed this specific work as a sentimental tribute to the area.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Brighton and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
The physical presence of Soft Machines involves monumental sculptural forms and corporeal shapes constructed primarily from agricultural materials. What makes the project particularly notable is the collaborative effort behind its fabrication. The artists worked alongside the design and tech studio Millimetre and the local charity Making It Out. This Brighton-based organisation supports people who have recently left prison by helping them develop practical skills through creative design and manufacturing. By involving these participants in the construction of the sculptures, the project functions as a "social sculpture," where the process of making the art is intended to have a direct social impact within the local community.
As the installation is located outdoors along the public walkway of Hove Promenade, it is accessible to everyone without the need for tickets or formal entry. It is designed to be integrated into the daily life of the city, whether you are a local resident out for a walk or a visitor attending other festival events. The use of agricultural materials in a coastal, urban environment creates a specific visual contrast, inviting passers-by to observe the scale and texture of the forms as they move through the space. The exhibition runs for the duration of the festival, providing a constant public fixture that reflects both the history of the artists and the ongoing creative work being done by community organisations in Brighton.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Brighton and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
