An interactive 3D light sculpture will be unveiled next to North Greenwich station in September to celebrate Diwali, the festival of light, staying in place for a year.

Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos, by the artist Murugiah, will be installed at Peninsula Square as part of the London Design Festival and will stay in place for a year.

The installation will also coincide with the second anniversary of the Design District, the hub for creative businesses on the Greenwich Peninsula. It will “invite interaction, play and joy,” a spokesperson said, calling his style “happy psychedelia”.

“It takes as its starting point the Hindu tradition of rangoli – colourful, intricate mandala designs painted onto the floors of house openings on festive or auspicious occasions – but rises out of the ground as a modern, mirrored light sculpture. 

“Large interactive floor graphics will sit amongst the installation and at specific slots members of the public will have the opportunity to tap into their creativity by using chalk to colour one in themselves.”

Last month Murugiah unveiled a window artwork, Compassion, at the Southbank Centre, which was commissioned for Refugee Week.

Murugiah portrait
Murugiah said his work will remind people that “existence is a beautiful, fleeting thing”

Murugiah said: “I am really grateful that Greenwich Peninsula has supported this work and empowered me to explore the traditions of my heritage which I often feel disconnected from. I am also very excited to be producing a large scale public realm sculpture. As a former architect, engaging with the public at a human scale is very important to me.

“I love living in London, but sometimes it can get a little loud in my head, and I find myself weighed down with the sorrows of the world. Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos represents the interconnectivity of existence. The larger cosmos reflects ourselves: small universes suspended within an infinite one. I hope people who visit the sculpture can use it as an opportunity to remind themselves that existence is a beautiful, fleeting thing, and can be joyful and filled with colour.”

Rangoli art illustration sessions will be held every weekend in October as part of a series of activities to promote south Asian heritage. A Celebrate Diwali festival will be held on November 11, with food, live music, talks and workshops.

Knight Dragon, the main developer of the Greenwich Peninsula, has placed an emphasis on public art in attracting people to the area. Earlier this year Damien Hirst’s giant Demon With Bowl sculpture was installed next to the London Cable Car.