A Tree for the Barbican

Posted on by Paul Burgess

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.

Continue reading A Tree for the Barbican

Bubble Dreams: the movie

Posted on by Paul Burgess

Actually a lovely (and very short) film about how Carolyn Defrin and I made Bubble Dreams, an interactive video installation for Tessa Jowell Health Centre, London, commissioned by Dulwich Picture Gallery. Have a watch, and if you’re in the Dulwich area, pop in. It’s in the children’s waiting area; you’ll need to ask to be let in.

I can’t post this without also mentioning the amazing team we worked with: creative technologist Rob Hall, production manager Thomas Wilson, painting assistant Carly Brownbridge and children’s workshop leader Holly Dabs. Particular thanks also to Dulwich Picture Gallery’s Alexander Moore for being so supportive and maintaining such a good balance between the needs of the commissioner and artistic freedom.