London Fieldworks – Spontaneous City in the Tree of Heaven
19 July 2010 – 19 July 2011.
Duncan Terrace Gardens, Islington N1 andCremone Gardens, Lots Road, Chelsea SW10
Secret Garden Project is a program of pop up events and projects that aim to adjoin nature with art in a series of innovative commissions. The brainchild of curators Emma Underhill and Sarah Davies, this unique undertaking aims to create new habitats for wildlife, promote green spaces in London and encourage an understanding of ecology and biodiversity. Events have been taking place throughout the summer, mainly in Islington, with installations such as a mobile picnic pavilion and a rooftop bee heaven entitled Bee Stop.
Now another commission has been unveiled, Spontaneous City in the Tree of Heaven is a dual-site sculpture located in Duncan Terrace Gardens, Islington, and Cremone Gardens, Chelsea. Consisting of over 250 bespoke wooden bird and bug boxes, the installation is influenced by the Georgian-style architecture that surrounds each of the two parks, and will provide a habitat for birds, insects and invertebrates. Plans are for it to remain in situ for at least a year and as part of the project the inhabitants of the tree of heaven will be documented over the course of their residence.
