Forest of Imagination 2017 in Beautiful Bushey Norwood…
22 May 2017
Forest of Imagination 2017 is to take place at Bushey Norwood, the National Trust-owned huge, glorious meadow grassland area and Iron Age landscape, that makes up part of the historic Bath Skyline.
Taking place from 29th June until 2nd July, the Forest of Imagination is partnering with the National Trust this year, to transform this beautiful natural landscape on the edge of the city into a kaleidoscope of playful installations, workshops and activities located at Bushey Norwood and within the Edge Arts building at the University of Bath.
The event, is free to everyone and will include a trail of unique temporary structures and artworks linking the urban edge of the city of Bath with the prehistoric landscape of Bushey Norwood, all with an emphasis on reconnecting children with the natural environment.
The special nature of the site offers unique spaces where amazing timber installations, structures, shelters will be made to house artist workshops and making spaces. These will become temporary ‘Houses of Imagination’ within the landscape. A wide variety of artists and designers are commissioned for the project from international names through to local students and schoolchildren.
The event is completely free, thanks to our sponsors and funders, and open to all and everyone is welcome to join in with the workshops, bring a picnic and spend the weekend exploring the magic and wonder of the Forest of Imagination.
Co-founded by Andrew Grant, Bath’s internationally respected architect at Grant Associates, celebrated for his work on the iconic, Garden’s by the Bay in Singapore – recently highlighted on the BBC’s Planet Earth series, narrated by David Attenborough it has since become the BBC’s most watched natural history programme. And Penny Hay, Senior Lecturer at Bath Spa University and founder of charity 5x5x5x=creativity, Penny is nationally respected for her work and dedication to bringing art and creativity to the heart of education, whilst placing Bath’s creative energy on the international map.
Together, Grant and Hay developed the concept of conveying collaborative creativity, imagination and the environment into the heart of thinking, education and the urban landscape: thus the Forest of Imagination was born and every year this unique, pop-up event is created and given, for free, to every man, woman and child in Bath, inviting everyone to set their minds free and engage in creative play.
Andrew: “Bushey Norwood is the most wonderful resource, Bath is so lucky in that it is surrounded by the most beautiful natural places and this gives us a brilliant opportunity to invite people to the edge of the city. Forest is always exploring different places and transforming them for people to use their imagination in both the local and global environment.
“Bushy Norwood is the inverse of Forest 2016 – we are literally taking the city to the edge, transforming a piece of the outside into a place that is animated with installations and possibilities, we will create an environment which, you would never normally encounter there.”
Last year more than ten thousand people were touched by Forest of Imagination and the three giant inflatable Baobabs, standing sentry in front of Bath Abbey protecting the city and offering a thought provoking conversation about the threat of this incredible tree species. All the creatures that coexist in their environment and how we can help to conserve their unique home in Madagascar.
Each of the ten thousand people who passed through the Forest could not help but be touched by the sheer playfulness, creative and inspired environment – with trees of all dimensions, colours and materials to feel and see. This creative playfulness seeped gently into senses and left each, young, old or in-between, smiling and intrigued with possibility.
Do make sure you are part of this years Forest of Imagination, 30th June – 2nd July.