Ruta Rota (Broken Route) by Venezuelan artist Jaime Gili was commissioned by Modus Operandi to celebrate the 2006 London Architecture Biennale. The project had two interrelated parts: an installation at 5 Cheapside, a large, empty octagonal building in Portland stone close to St Paul’s Cathedral, and a poster series for 250 bus shelters across 6 London boroughs, notating the Biennale’s walking route. The work was inspired by the public art, architecture and design of the artist’s native Venezuela.
‘I grew up in Caracas surrounded by optical art by 20th century masters which interacts beautifully with the city’s architecture and influences the popular abstract imagery used on local buses. In ‘Ruta Rota’ I wanted to create a similar experience in London for pedestrians and bus travellers.’ Jaime Gili.