South East Arts have agreed to fund the cost of two permanent sculptures at Sussex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve at Woods Mill, Henfield.
Both pieces will be created on site during the Trust’s main family event of the year ‘What on Earth?’ on Sunday September 4th and visitors to the nature reserve will be encouraged to take a ‘hands on’ part in both creations.
Red Earth is an environmental arts group investigating the phenomena of the natural world identifying the connections between art, philosophy, history, science and nature. Based in Brighton, they have presented projects in Japan, Mongolia, France, Holland, UK, Java and Spain.
With the help of visitors to the ‘What on Earth’ event, they will construct huge spheres from natural materials throughout the day. After the event they will be displayed at different places on the nature reserve as permanent features.
The second sculpture is by Chichester based Ganesh Unlimited who create living willow structures and work in both the private sector and with schools across the county involving pupils at every level of construction.
Designs vary, but at Woods Mill, people will be able to assist in the creation of a living willow dome with tunnels leading in and out of the space which will be used extensively by the Trust’s education department. It will be big enough to allow wheelchair access and will seat up to 20 children.
Other activities for families during the day will include face painting, making musical instruments from natural and recycled materials, mock earthworm races (children climb into sleeping bags and crawl towards the winning post), spider web weaving, nettle string making and much more. One of the highlights will be the unearthing of the time capsule buried in 2000 to add more items before reburying it.
The event starts at 11.00am and finishes at 4pm. Refreshments will be on sale and there is disabled access around the nature reserve trail.
Cost for members: adults £2/children£3/family ticket £10. Cost for non members: adults £3/children £5/family ticket £15.
Press enquiries: Amanda Solomon, Press Officer,
Sussex Wildlife Trust, Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9SD.
Tel: 01273-492630 Email: amandasolomon@sussexwt.org.uk
