Cristina Ottonello
London based Artist and Designer specialising in large scale temporary installations for public spaces and events, with a strong interest in participatory art.
Selected Projects
2025
Body Odyssey, immersive installation for theatre show at Southbank Centre
The Tapestry of Imperfections, participatory artwork for Creative Encounters at Southbank Centre
2024
Candle Magick, light installation, Illumina Lichtergarten, Schlosspark, Laxenburg, Austria
Robin’s Trail, light installations, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, Goudhurst - Chester Zoo, Chester
Gingerbread Dance, light installation, Leeds Castle, Maidstone and Dunham Massay NT, Altrincham
Shiny Happy People, light installation, Blenheim Gardens, Woodstock
2023
The War Inside, installation for audiovisual immersive theatre show at Vaults Festival, The Albany and Artsdepot, London
The Tapestry of Imperfections, participatory artwork in collaboration with Body&Soul HIV Charity
Robin’s Trail, light installations, Royal Botanical Garden, Kew
Heart Walk, light installation, Leeds Castle, Maidstone
Snowflake Park, light installation, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Rose Garden, light installation, Sparkle in the Park, Avery Hill, Greenwich
2022
Il Giardino del Cervello, inflatable installation for Il Sogno di Rita event, commissioned by EBRI (European Brain Research Institute), Rome
Decisioni ben Costruite, collaboration with researchers from EBRI for Il Sogno di Rita event
Dragon, puppet masterclass for Jun-Mo Generation, Hackney Carnival
Aldgate Counts, float design and participatory artwork with local schools in Aldgate for Lord Mayor Show, City of London
Snowflake Park, light installation, Wimpole Garden NT, Cambridgeshire and Gibside, Gateshead
Heart Walk, light installation , Kingston Lacy NT, Wimborne Minster
Plantastic, residency and commission for Birr Vintage Arts Festival, in collaboration with youths from Birr’s local estates, Creative Ireland, Offaly Local Development Company and Birr Theatre
2021
Il Giardino del Cervello, inflatable installation for Il Sogno di Rita event, commissioned by EBRI (European Brain Research Institute), Rome
Nerve Growth Factor, public workshop in collaboration with scientist from EBRI for Il Sogno di Rita event
Wild Explorer, public workshop for Gaia At The Wilds, Barkingside
Snowflake Park, light installation, Dunham Massay NT
Heart Walk, light installation, Belton House NT
The Rose Garden, light sculptures for Light the Way, Lesnes Abbey Wood
Air Quality Superheros, light installation for Aldgate in Summer exhibition
Ideal Palace, set designer for outdoor touring show across Greenwich locations
2020
Il Giardino del Cervello, inflatable installation for Il Sogno di Rita event, commissioned by EBRI (European Brain Research Institute), Rome
Antibodies, children workshops in collaboration with scientist from EBRI for Il Sogno di Rita event
Heart Walk, illuminated installation, Stourhead NT,
Paperworld Grotto, illuminated installation for Sparkle in the Park, Avery Hill, Greenwich
Snowflake Park, illuminated installation, Blenheim Gardens, Woodstock
Aurora, light installation, Belton House NT
Candle Magick, light installation, Belton House NT
Miniature High Street, float design and construction with children from local schools for Lord Mayor Show, City of London
2019
Heart Walk, illuminated installation, Dunham Massey NT, Dunham
Willow Sculptures for Aldgate in Winter parade, Aldgate, London
The Rose Garden, illuminated sculpture, Doncaster Light Night, Doncaster Minster
Float and parade design, Boishaki Mela 2019. Designed the River of Bangladesh float and parade elements. Delivered community outreach sessions to engage and involve local residents in the creative process.
Orchids, flower sculptures and workshop for Orchids: celebrate the Colours of Colombia event at Royal Botanica Garden, Kew
2018
HomeMade, installation created with youth homelessness charity Accumulate to celebrate the opening of the East Wing, Alexandra Palace
Home, lantern parade for Light Up Your Life, Home Slough, Slough
Lantern parade for Royal Maritime Museum, Greenwich
The Rose Garden, installation for Arteinfiera, San Sebastiano Curone, Alessandria
Art residency at San Sebastiano Curone, Alessandria
Tiger, float design for Boishaki Mela 2018. Delivered community outreach sessions to engage and involve local residents in the creative process.
Art residency at Atelier A, Apricale, Sanremo.
2017
Dagfest, site transformation project involving primary and secondary schools and community centres at Old Dagenham Village Festival
Designer and Lead Artist for Boishaki Mela 2017, coordinating artists and leading workshops with community centres and primary and secondary schools to create artworks, Tower Hamlet
Candle Magick, light installation, Royal Botanical Garden, Kew
A Rose By Any Other Name, illuminated installation for Enchanted Parks at Saltwell Park, Gateshead
Dagfest, site transformation project involving primary and secondary schools and community centres at Old Dagenham Village Festival
2016
Aurora, light installation, Royal Botanical Garden, Kew
ThinkBigBoard, interactive public art for Timbercroft Primary School, Greenwich
Welcome Home Art Trail at Fuse Festival, temporary art trail created in partnership with students from Kent University’s BA Event and Experience Design course, Medway Arts and Emergency Exit Arts.
Dagfest, site transformation project involving primary and secondary schools and community centres at Old Dagenham Village Festival
2015
2014
Birds, Public artwork for Streetgallery, Waltham Forest
Ad Ali Spiegate, commission for UniCredit Tower Parade, installation, UniCredit Foundation, Milan
Sunflowers Extravaganza, illuminated sculpture for Van Gogh Alive, Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan.
Lead artist and designer, The Mayor's Newham Carnival. Art workshops in schools across Newham to create a processions of up to a 2000 participants
WW1 Exhibition Zeppelin, large scale Zeppelin made with primary school children at Mile End Arts Pavillion, Brady Arts Centre and Emergency Exit Arts
Dagfest, site transformation project involving primary and secondary schools and community centres at Old Dagenham Village Festival
2013
Mangrove, installation in the Prince of Wales Conservatory at Royal Botanic Garden Kew
Varmints, suspended installation inspired by Varmints children's play and created with primary schools in Newham, Stratford Circus.
Dagfest, site transformation project involving primary and secondary schools and community centres at Old Dagenham Village Festival
2012
Bunting Extravaganza, team building session with LendLease, Stratford Circus
Paralympic Torch Flame Festival Procession, lead artist, lantern making workshops for lighting events in London, Greater Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Stoke Mandeville with Emergency Exit Arts
2011
Alpine Birds, suspended installation in Davis Alpine House, Royal Botanic Garden Kew
Mexican Shrines, installation in the Cacti House for Royal Botanica Garden Kew
2010
Tropical Birds, installation for Tropical Extravaganza festival at Royal Botanic Garden Kew
Flight of Fancy, installation for Summer Festival at Royal Botanica Garden Kew
Avenues Trust, art workshops and exhibition in a residential setting for people
living with disabilities