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27th May 2016

Forest of Imagination takes root in Bath for third year

World heritage city to host pop-up contemporary arts event with conservation theme, featuring 'soundscape' by musician Martyn Ware.

Spaces in and around Bath Abbey are to be transformed into a temporary fantastical forest by a collective of local artists and creative businesses, including Grant Associates, during a free, four-day contemporary arts event on 3-6 June 2016.

Featuring a playful programme of sensory installations, artworks, outdoor theatre and participatory creative activities for visitors of all ages, Forest of Imagination is returning to the World Heritage City for its third year this summer. 2016's event will also feature 'sonic murals' or soundscapes by musician Martyn Ware, founder of 80's bands Heaven 17 and Human League.

Focused around three areas close to the Abbey and space within the Abbey itself, Forest of Imagination is themed around ‘Eyes of the Forest’. Its sensory installations aim to suggest interesting and imaginative ways of seeing forests and their importance to global ecosystems.

To the front of the abbey, the Global Forest will point to the global importance of forests and encourage the imagination to travel to the forests of Madagascar and marvel at its Baobab trees. Representative from a Bristol Zoo led conservation project will be on hand to discuss the island’s endangered wildlife.

Focused on Abbey Green’s mature Plane tree, the Living Forest will come to life through a soundscape created by Martyn Ware. Lightweight sculptures will highlight the role of nature in the city while a further soundscape by Ware will feature inside the Abbey along with a special visual surprise.

In a large square off Kingston Parade, the Creative Forest offers an outdoor workshop where the Forest of Imagination will grow over the four-day event and involve a creative installation of 1,000 living and made trees.

Forest of Imagination is the brainchild of a collaborative team of Bath-based businesses, including Grant Associates, arts-based charity 5x5x5=creativity, creative consultancy Imaginnovation and architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.  It aims to highlight the inherent creativity of Bath and connect people with nature by reinventing spaces in the city to inspire intuitive play, unleash imagination and encourage exploration.