Published: 17 November 2011
by PHILLIP WROE

A GIANT neon birdcage which will light up the King’s Cross skyline for the next two years was installed this week.

Entitled IFO (Identified Flying Object), it consists of a nine-metre-high dome-shaped cage illuminated with multi-coloured neon lights, which will hover over the Railway Lands development once a month.

Workmen helping to lift it into the sky were among the first to have a go on its swing.

It was designed by French artist Jacques Rival, and is intended to represent the “flux and flow” of the area.

During the day the cage will sit on the ground at King’s Boulevard and visitors will be able to walk between the bars and sit on the swing.

At night, the whole cage will light up and once a month it will be hoisted into the air by the largest crane on the King’s Cross site to hover over the London skyline.

It is the first instalment of RELAY, a nine-year art programme intended to turn the 67-acre site into a hub for contemporary Art.