Experience Es Devlin’s choral installation CONGREGATION at PAC NYC

Currently on view at Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) in downtown Manhattan, British artist Es Devlin’s CONGREGATION spotlights 50 Londoners who have been forcibly displaced from their homelands. Represented in charcoal portraits, these co-authors reflect on their lives in London and their journeys to the city from over 25 countries, including Syria, Sudan, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. Through portraiture, soundscapes, and projection-mapped sculptural staging, the deeply moving installation invites audiences into a shared experience of humanity and hope. 

The critically acclaimed contemporary artist Es Devlin is known for inviting public participation in her communal choral works. For CONGREGATION, she partnered with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), which helped pair the artist with her 50 co-authors. “Every day for about four months, there would be a knock at my door. I would answer the door, and a stranger would be standing there,” explains Devlin. Knowing only their first name and refugee status, the artist would begin their portrait and only afterwards would each sitter share their story.

“I found myself in London,” shared Maya Ghazal from Damascus. “I absolutely fell in love with the city … the diversity, different people, cuisines, and just the vibrant community.” Reflecting on the word “refugee”, JJ Bola from Kinshasa says, “I think that the more that we can tell the story of the human being, of the person, of the experience, the more that the word refugee will be a relatable word. I guess my gift would be the gift of story, retelling our experiences in a way that connects us.”

The experiences of Maya, JJ, and their fellow co-authors are represented in monumental, eight-foot-tall portraits which Devlin has arranged “in a tiered organization, a bit like the tiers of a choir.” The accompanying soundscape is composed by Polyphonia, with film sequences created in collaboration with filmmaker Ruth Hogben and choreographer Botis Seva. With all these elements coming together in harmony, the work offers a luminous encounter with those who bring their gifts to their new country.

What unique insights into CONGREGATION does the PAC NYC guide offer? You can:

• Meet the artist Es Devlin and curator Ekow Eshun through their biographies and essays, or learn about the co-authors of CONGREGATION by hearing their stories
• Peek behind the scenes to see inside Es Devlin’s studio and her library, and to hear the artist’s views on co-authorship, materiality, and acoustemology

The Perelman Performing Arts Center opened two years ago at the World Trade Center site, serving as a landmark venue for theatre, media, music, and public art in downtown Manhattan. This setting places CONGREGATION at the heart of New York’s cultural and urban renewal, offering visitors a powerful artistic experience and an opportunity to explore the city’s evolving arts ecosystem. 

What are some other highlights to see while you’re at PAC NYC?

• The acclaimed theatrical production of A Christmas Carol brings festive cheer, with performances running through December 28
• The building’s unique architecture, including its radiant marble facade, which can be explored using a self-guided audio tour
• Metropolis restaurant, which features contemporary artworks by Sam Gilliam, Betty Woodman, Kiki Smith, and Martin Puryear, in addition to culinary creations by chef Marcus Samuelsson

CONGREGATION is on view at PAC NYC from December 9, 2025, through January 4, 2026. Curated by Ekow Eshun, the work was created in partnership with UK for UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, King’s College London and The Courtauld, and Bloomberg Connects.