In June 2009 I was lead artist on the Dens with a Difference project for Art in the Park. For two weeks I worked in the Winter Gardens in Sheffield building a giant interactive multi sensory den for the Sheffield Children's Festival, alongside artist Annie Beech and team of volunteers from Art in the Park.
The den consisted of four pods connected by tunnels. The structure of the den was made from willow and the outside was woven with brightly coloured recycled materials and covered with willow and tissue artwork. The inside of the den was a feast for the senses with recycled planters full of herbs, sound and light catching mobiles, mirrored floors and much more.
The den was built during workshops each day, with children from local special schools and also with families. In the workshops we wove willow, planted herbs, made sounds shakers, wove plastics and different textured fabrics and made lanterns. Over 500 people were involved with making den.
The inside of the den became a wish tree of ideas, pictures, experiences and stories. Every participant left a message.
When we finished the den there was a celebration event and the Lord Mayor came and cut a red ribbon tied around one of the tiny doors and opened to the den! Lots of people explored the den and there was a story teller, stilt walking venus fly traps and a three legged man to entertain everyone. The den was then open for the week of the Children's Festival for people to play in.This project was an amazing experience, the first I have done on such a huge scale. It was an absolute dream to get to design and realise the giant den and try out so many unusual techniques and materials. All of the participants were brilliant and really got stuck into the project and I especially loved the way the children from the schools engaged with the den and got a real sense of pride from being involved. I hope to do more more work like this in the future.
For more information about Art in the Park, a voluntary community arts organisation, please click here. And for details of the Sheffield Children's Festival click here.