Barbican Foyer (1982) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Rethinking the Barbican
In 1991, a redesign of the Barbican took place, designed by Pentagram. It aimed to soften and obscure a Brutalist architectural style which had fallen out of favour with the management.
Silk Street Entrance with Muses Sculptures (1994)Barbican Centre
The most famous interventions were the sculptures put above the Silk Street entrance, representing the Muses.
Silk Street Entrance with Muses Sculptures (1994)Barbican Centre
Here is a drawing laying out the vision for the new sculptures.
The muses look like they are welcoming visitors to the Barbican.
Silk Street Entrance Muses Sculptures (1994)Barbican Centre
They stand out against the dark concrete of the Barbican.
Statue of a Muse (about A.D. 200) by UnknownThe J. Paul Getty Museum
In the cultures of Ancient Greece, the nine Muses were thought to inspire the arts.
Silk Street Entrance with Muses Sculptures (1994)Barbican Centre
And they were an apt symbol to welcome visitors to the Barbican. The word museum comes from the Greek, mouseion, which means 'seat of the Muses'.
Barbican Brass Bannister with Owl Detail by Photography by Max ColsonBarbican Centre
Other 1991 additions
The redesign also added features such as this Owl bannister ending.
Barbican Brass Bannister with Owl Detail by Photography by Max ColsonBarbican Centre
It was designed to be added on to the clean lines of the original brass railings.
Photograph of Installed Directional Signs at Barbican Hall by Ken Briggs & AssociatesBarbican Centre
You can see the original style of the bannisters in this photo from 1982.
Barbican Brass Bannister with Owl Detail by Photography by Max ColsonBarbican Centre
Like many of Pentagram’s suggestions, this was removed four years later, when the management changed. It was mounted on board for safekeeping by Barbican staff.
Silk Street Entrance with Muses Sculptures (1994)Barbican Centre
The muses were also short-lived additions to the Barbican and were removed by 1995.
Tap to explore
This is what the Barbican's Silk Street entrance looks like today.
