Like many of Olafur Eliasson’s artworks, this installation is inspired by the rugged beauty of Iceland. While the artist was born in Denmark, his parents are both originally from Iceland and he visited his father there regularly throughout his childhood. The landscape within Riverbed is particular to Eliasson but also feels universal.

In Riverbed, an artwork we may traverse, everything we experience is carefully planned. Under the cool grey light, Eliasson seeks to take us into a deeper reality, amplifying our interaction with the world – our awareness of nature, the flow of time and the choices we make.

We are all welcome to find our own way through Riverbed: we might follow the suggestion of a path, or find a quiet place to sit, touch the stones or feel the water pass through our fingers.

The water used in Riverbed is recycled via reservoir tanks installed behind the scenes.