This project was an absolute joy.
I was invited to create a tree from children’s imagination as part of Our Street, a project by the Barbican Centre’s Communities and Neighbourhoods team. They had an opportunity between Very Serious Arts Exhibitions to transform the prestigious Curve gallery space into an ‘anti-exhibition’ for local families over the summer holiday. This would be a space where kids can play and make stuff without being told to be quiet, respectful, and not touch anything. But it would also be created by artists channelling all their skill, experience, and creativity into making a space for childish imagination and playfulness to be let loose.
A class from St Luke’s Primary, just up the road, had been brought on board as consultant for the project, so I joined a creative session led by members of the Barbican team at the school, and got the kids drawing the most weird and wonderful trees they could conjure up. I then adapted, working with sustainable set builders Footprint Scenery and the Barbican to come up with something practical as well as dramatic and celebratory.
The other major partner in this was Eletric Pedals, run by Colin Tonks. Electric Pedals creates a range of amazing pedal-power things, including outdoor discos for school playgrounds powered entirely by the kids. Part of my brief was working with them to create special effects for the tree. After trying a few things out, Colin, who, let’s face it, is a bit of a genius, came up with thunder, lightning and some individually selectable park sounds, all powered by two bikes and a hand crank.
Here’s some pics from the process.
And here’s a video from Electric Pedals filmed during the friends and family preview, showing a walk-through of the whole thing:
Our Street was basically sold out for the entire run, with 18,000 tickets booked, and when I visited during opening hours, it was full of kids (and parents) having a fantastic time.
Following this and the interactive mural for the children’s waiting room at Tessa Jowell Health Centre, I’m officially asking the universe to give me more work creating environments for imagination, play and joy. Bonus points if it involves trees.
Paul Burgess 