Oh, Christmas Tree, 5 Artists Reimagine How Unconventional Thou Art!
From a sculpted wooden Christmas tree in Tokyo to a floral origami Tree in London, explore the Christmas trees by artists, and sleigh conventions with an artistic flair.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again—yet, landing on the perfect Christmas tree theme remains as fiddly as acquiring a balance between sparkle and subtle in holiday décor. Traditionally adorned with shiny trinkets and often depicting religious and sentimental values, real Christmas trees have long been a symbol of togetherness—a radiant pièce de résistance or even a place to gather around for exchanging gifts. Once an evergreen classic, these trees are branching out adapting the nuanced interpretations—from the bookworms bedecking their book-laden trees to cushion-stacked trees by décor aficionados. From sculpted wooden Christmas trees to a swirling and glimmering Art Deco tree, discover how thecrème de la crème of artists and designers ditch the tinsel to put the ‘uncanny’ in Christmas traditions.
1. Escape To The Emerald City With Universal Pictures At the St. Pancras International Station, London
At the St. Pancras International station in London, an emerald and gold portal transports patrons to the dazzling, vibrant metropolis—The Emerald City of Oz—with a magnificent 11-meter-tall Christmas Tree. Crafted in collaboration with Universal Pictures UK for the release of ‘Wicked’ this immersive Christmas tree is an architectural splendour housing; spirited booths, and irradiated towers. A hidden diorama at its core, showcases the iconic landmarks of the Emerald City and Munchkinland, with a lit yellow brick road connecting quintessential locations. With over 4,000 hours of craftsmanship, this Wicked-inspired Christmas tree features hand-painted petite details, including pointed domes, arched windows and gold etchings.
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This tree, referencing the assemblies from the city of Oz, dazzles with over 200 twinkling lights, tendering immersive and enchanting musical interludes, taped messages from Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the making of the film. This labyrinth wraps the space in a whimsical Christmas vibe, sparking wonder and delight with every twist and turn.
You can catch ‘Wicked-Inspired Christmas Tree’ in London, at the St. Pancras International Station until January 2025.
2. A Sparkling Rendezvous Of Christmas Tree And Art Deco Columns By Anna Lomax At the V&A Museum
At the entrance of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, an Art Deco-inspired column spirals gracefully into a dazzling Christmas tree, aptly titled All Lit Up!, by British artist and designer Anna Lomax. This designer, known for her bold, playful aesthetic rooted in pop culture, has collaborated with fashion, sports, and technology brands, crafting eccentric installations. “My design for the 2025 V&A Christmas Tree, uses the iconic V&A dome columns as a starting point but gives them a playful twist,” Lomax remarks. Referencing the parallels between the tree and the columns, ‘All Lit Up!’ serves as an allegory embodying the pillars of life, growth, and resilience—both organic and crafted.
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Commissioned by the V&A, the designer breaks from convention, using white light as her medium to craft a mesmerising, glowing Christmas tree. The segueing lighting, choreographs an animated performance throughout the day, sprinkling a dash of enchantment and dazzle to the foyer. Through this ingenious opus, she evokes the nostalgic sense of magic that comes with the holiday season, while infusing it with a modern, radiant allure.
‘All Lit Up!’ is on view at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London from 25th November 2024 to 5th January 2025
3. A Floral Symphony Of Origami Wishes By Lavender Green At Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
A whirling floral arrangement paired with suspended paper fans across the ceiling greets the patrons in the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair in London, becoming its crowning jewel. Dubbed the ‘Golden Tree,’ this wishing tree, crafted by the Chelsea-based floral establishment Lavender Green, invites guests to make a wish. Known for their elaborate floral installations at royal weddings, they crafted a Christmas tree with golden pine branches stretching lavishly across the ceiling. The concept of a wishing tree is often a symbol of hope and dreams, while the fans suspended through the ceiling embody the essence of the folding of wishes and desires into tangible forms.
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Left: The stunning tree, adorned with a garland of gold-tinted hydrangeas cascading to colossal crimson metallic baubles at its base. Right: Delicate origami fans crafted in gold, serve as an exquisite ornament on the tree. (Image Credits: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair).
The tree, draped with a garland of gold-tinted hydrangeas cascading down to colossal crimson metallic baubles at the base, infuses a soft, organic touch to the tree. Sue Barnes and Colin Gray of Lavender Green, explain, “The garland throughout, features lush clusters of golden hydrangea blooms, each carefully preserved to maintain its shape and soft texture.” Branching out across the ceiling, the tree reveals hints of verdure, embellished with pinecones and intricate origami paper fans in gold, green, and burgundy—an homage to their collaboration with the House of Vivienne Westwood. Together, the origami fans and golden accents symbolise prosperity, while serving as a poignant metaphor for growth, aspiration, and dreams unfolding.
You can catch ‘Golden Tree’ in London, at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair’s ground floor lobby.
4. Minimalist Stacks For A Sustainable Christmas By Kengo Kuma At ‘The Tokyo Edition’ Hotel
Kengo Kuma’s ‘Kigumi’ Christmas tree stands proudly in the lobby of The Tokyo Edition, Ginza. (Image Credits: Courtesy of The Tokyo EDITION).
A wooden house of cards-inspired Christmas tree stands tall in The Tokyo Edition, hotel in Ginza—a district in Japan—crafted by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, referencing the artisanal precision and minimalism of the region. Aptly monikered ‘Kigumi,’ which refers to a revered Japanese joinery technique with interwoven wood joints—this tree is crafted from stacked, slender wooden pieces interlocking in a vertical, triangular form, and flaunts distinct wood species. Assembled without nails, this striking Christmas tree’s angular lines echo the woven lattice façade of the hotel—also designed by Kuma.
Kuma explains, “I designed the Christmas tree as an architectural structure for this project. The trees have a story of their assembly; even after it is finished, they will live forever.”
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Left: This assembly embodies Japanese craftsmanship with interwoven wooden joints and minimalist elegance, creating a timeless, architectural holiday masterpiece. Right: A detailed view of the intricate joinery in the tree, showcasing the seamless interlocking of six wooden species (Image Credits: Courtesy of The Tokyo EDITION).
Crafted from six wooden species—including castor aralia, magnolia, oak, Japanese walnut, and North American walnut—the tree’s structure amalgamates dowel, mortise and tenon joints. Shimmering with metallic finishes in silver and bronze, this sustainable tree underscores the austere beauty of minimalism while embracing the season’s deeper themes of simplicity, renewal, and joy in little things. Once the holiday season concludes, this tree will be dismantled and converted into exquisite tables, with a circular walnut tabletop.
You can catch ‘Kigumi’ in Tokyo from November 19 – December 25, 2024, at The Tokyo EDITION, hotel in Ginza.
5. A Lesson From A Metallic Mesh Tree By Lee Gil Rae At Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
Left: The ‘Millennium Pine Tree’ flanks the restaurant’s staircase visible even from the top. Right: This sculpture mirrors the twists and turns of an actual tree, with copper tubing intricately soldered. (Image Credits: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair).
An austere metallic tree titled ‘Millennium Pine Tree’ graces a restaurant’s staircase at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair in London, in an ode to chef Akira Back’s Japanese and Korean gourmet fare. Meticulously soldered by Lee Gil Rae a renowned Korean artist in collaboration with Opera Art Gallery, the installation references the surrounding greenery, while mirroring the Tokyo-based studio, Curiosity’s design vision. Crafted from copper tubing, this captivating sculpture echoes nature’s tenacity and grace, concealing deeper themes of deforestation.
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This surreal, leafless ‘Millennium Pine Tree’, with its sprawling branches and copper-tipped needles—leaves—conjures the lofty beauty of traditional pine trees, in a man-made form, offering a nostalgic reflection on Christmas. Coalescing the natural and man-made realms this ethereal installation conveys the season’s message—fostering a deep reflection of unity, preservation and shared responsibility.
You can catch ‘Millennium Pine Tree’ in London, also at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair’s ground floor lobby.
