|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
4th October 2006 Art mirrors life in Kensington Gardens For the first time in its history, the Long Water in Kensington Gardens is now temporary home to a floating art installation. A series of 38 jewel-encrusted island sculptures have been introduced by artist Tony Heywood into this historic setting to suggest the formation and blooming of living islands of algal inflorescence. The sculptural forms are based on enlargements of microscopic pond life and amoeba.  Called 'SuperAlgal Bloom', the installation is best seen from the West side of the Serpentine bridge and from the adjacent footpath besides the south shore of the Long Water. It will be in situ until Tuesday 31 October during park opening hours. Commenting on the work, Nick Butler, Manager of Kensington Gardens said: "While Kensington Gardens are no stranger to public art and sculpture, this, as the first water borne exhibit, is perhaps amongst the most striking and unusual". While the floating forms are certainly new to the Long Water, artist Tony Heywood is no stranger to the world of horticulture. He is Director of his own avant garde gardening company, Conceptual Gardens and works as Head Gardener for the Hyde Park Estates (NB. not Hyde Park). Tony has received international recognition as a horticultural installation artist, and his work ranges from monumental installations covering large areas of land that use the garden as a starting point, to micro-landscapes grown in bell-jars and Petri dishes as gallery art works. The sculptures comprising SuperAlgal Bloom are made by the artist in a lengthy three-part process. They are first carved from foam, then covered with rubber latex, and finally hand inlaid with approximately 120,000 resin jewels. Media contacts: Bruce Sparrow Tel: 07970 660132, E-mail: bsparrow@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk Tony Heywood (Artsinform): Jessica, Tel: 01273 488996, E-mail: jessica@artsinform.co.uk Editor's notes: 1. The Long Water was created by Queen Caroline in 1728 from the Westbourne Stream. Kensington Gardens covers 111 hectares (275 acres) and was originally part of Hyde Park. 2. The Royal Parks hosts the international Frieze Art Fair in Regent's Park from 12 -15 October 2006. The Frieze Art Fair is London's only international contemporary art fair. 150 art galleries will be exhibiting and specially commissioned artists projects will be included in the fair. back to top |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
 |
||||||||
