Experts at South Cumbria’s Grizedale Forest are preparing to be launched up to 25 feet metres into the air on Tuesday 20th May to install a series of giant sculptures in the tree-tops, as part of a new arts programme.

The Forestry Commission has enlisted the help of two tree surgeons to get the project off the ground in time for spring half term holiday (26th-30th May), by climbing up into the tree canopy to assemble the abstract creations with the help of the sculptors.

For the first time, emerging artists, Dexter Dymoke and Rebecca Johnson, are developing works for Grizedale, as part of the new ‘HUNT’ exhibition, which is on the ‘Ridding Wood Trail’.

Dexter Dymoke’s 'Ambush' will use an existing oak tree in Ridding Wood to create a 20 foot catapult.

'Second in a Series of Attempts', by Rebecca Johnson, is a series of sculptural elements installed in trees along the trail, where birds’ nests appear to have been mysteriously dropped into the trees by parachute.

Designed as an accessible public sculpture trail in 1990, The Ridding Wood Trail is the most popular walk in Grizedale Forest. ‘HUNT’ is the first development in a series of plans for the reinvigoration of the artwork along this ever popular route and around the forest.

From Monday 26th May visitors will be encouraged to come and ‘HUNT’ for the tree-top sculptures on the Ridding Wood Trail and enjoy their humorous and unusual setting in the heart of the forest. The use of scale and the unexpected is central to both works.
Artist, Rebecca Johnson from Poole in Dorset, recently exhibited here work in Aberdeen and Liverpool.

Dexter Dymoke from London has exhibited his work in the Capital and will be artist in residence at the Gallery Richter in the Netherlands this summer.

Hayley Skipper, Arts Development Officer for the Forestry Commission at Grizedale said:

“We’re delighted to be presenting these new works at Grizedale. Both are witty, imaginative pieces that aim to encourage visitors to look more closely at the natural environment of the trail as well as the sculptures along it.

“Rebecca and Dexter’s works could be said to function like props that have been introduced into the Ridding Wood, which in turn has become a set for visitors to enjoy.”

The Ridding Wood Trail is free of charge and starts at site of the old Grizedale Hall.

The old hall was used during World War 2 as a Prison of War camp - Grizedale One. Themes from this historical link are reflected in the two new sculptural works. Future arts developments along the trail will also take the landscape of the old hall and the environment surrounding the trail itself as their inspiration.

Earlier this year, the Forestry Commission appointed Hayley Skipper as its first Arts Development Officer in Britain at Grizedale.

Hayley, an artist and project co-ordinator, is now developing the sculpture programme at Grizedale with new commissions that represent the best in established and emerging contemporary visual art, including these two new tree-top creations.

Grizedale was at the forefront in the development of art in the environment, in the 1970s and the Forest is home to over 60 sculptures including works by Andy Goldsworthy, Sally Matthews, Richard Harris and David Kemp.

The new Arts Development programme is part of the wider Grizedale Project, a £5 million scheme to improve the quality of the visitor experience and support the local economy.

The project will include improvements to the visitor centre, a new resource centre, greater opportunities for local businesses, a wood-fuelled heating system and new measures to reduce car use.

The Grizedale Project has been made possible by grants from Cumbria Vision, the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund North West Action Plan Partnership, the Lake District National Park Authority Sustainable Development Fund and the DEFRA Rural Enterprise Scheme.

More information about the Grizedale Project can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Images attached of Dexter Dymoke’s 'Ambush' and 'Second in a Series of Attempts' by Rebecca Johnson. Higher resolution versions are available by calling 015394-42436.

2. There are a number of routes through Grizedale Forest that give people the chance to see some of the sculptures. They include the Ridding Wood Trail, which is suitable for the disabled and can be completed in 1 hour. The Silurian Way is nearly 10 miles long and takes around 4-5 hours to complete.

3. The Forestry Commission is the largest provider of countryside recreation in Britain, with responsibility for more than one million hectares (2.4 million acres) of forest, woodlands and open countryside. The North West England Forest District covers the Lake District in Cumbria, the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The forests are managed for conservation, wildlife, landscape and recreation as well as providing a valuable source of timber.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Hayley Skipper on 01229-862015; Email: hayley.skipper@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or call Sue Gardiner on 01229-862002.