Posted on: Friday 27 November 2020
Last week Head4Arts released the first glimpses of its four digital interactive artworks generated from the visual contributions of over 450 participants in its first virtual Arty Parky event.
The four mandala images celebrate togetherness at a time of social restrictions, inspired by the colours of autumn. The project pays homage to the annual Arty Parky live participatory events that would normally have involved making fantastic giant land artworks in four local parks over the half term holidays.
With the cancellation of the public events owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, participants were instead invited to take a walk with their family through their local park, or look in their own gardens, to collect a variety of interesting leaves and natural materials to create their own piece of land art. Having arranged them into a striking composition, photos were then sent via social media to Head4Arts, providing all the elements that make up the digital mandalas.
The technology employed in the final designs allows participants to search the images to find their own contribution and reveal what it looked like in its original setting, as well as giving an insight into the contributions of others.
The aims of the project were to promote positive wellbeing at a time when we cannot be together, by encouraging participants to be active, take notice and connect with the natural world around us.
The mandala artworks were envisioned by regular Arty Parky artist Kate Raggett, and constructed by digital arts practitioner Natasha James; each one inspired by one of the regular Arty Parky locations.
Head4Arts’ Creative Director Kate Strudwick commented:“This is the first time we have had to cancel our annual Arty Parky events, but we were thrilled by the response from community participants from across the region. They have really captured the spirit of Arty Parky and made the most of the stunning golds, reds and oranges that nature gives us during this time of year.”
“Ironically, the weather was so bad during half term that we would have struggled to have delivered the live events this year, so in this case a virtual event was definitely a good choice!”
Images of the mandala artworks have been release across social media from Monday 16th November and the interactive versions will be available to view via the Head4Arts website: head4arts.org.uk/arty-parky/