The idea
The project, Lyric Square In Bloom, will host an interactive plant-shaped sculpture in the heart of Hammersmith. Combining light and sound, In Bloom invites adults and children alike to play, listen and reflect.
Ten colourful glowing spheres form "flowers" and when touched, these flowers produce musical notes and binaural tones. The light sensors respond to hand gestures, reflecting the movement of pollinators from flower to flower in search of nectar.
We’ll create information boards, linking In Bloom to the 180,000 Buckfast bees housed in beehives on the Lyric Theatre roof since 2018. The boards will educate the public on the urban biodiversity on their doorstep and how they can help it thrive.
In Bloom will be the start of a treasure trail in the town centre, where bee graphics on windows will have quiz questions and the public must submit the answers on a webform. Those who complete it correctly can win a prize of Hammersmith honey from the beehives and other prizes.
What we'll deliver
- 'In Bloom' light sculpture.
- "Toblerone" board with information on the bees and urban biodiversity + QR code for the treasure trail.
- Treasure trail including foamex bees around town with the quiz questions.
- A managed installation including technical setup, maintenance, insurance and deinstallation.
Why it's a great idea
COMMUNITY: The sculpture works by touching the "flowers", with people collaboratively making light/sound patterns: uniting them across age, class and other barriers. It will engender a sense of civic pride.
EDUCATION: It will capture the school half term crowd, office workers, visitors to cultural venues, and patrons of nearby shops and eateries. All will learn about the Hammersmith bees and the importance of protecting this keystone species alongside our other urban biodiversity.
CULTURE: In Bloom is public art, providing free culture and a sense of play to the community at a time when they must often pay for it.
ECONOMY: In Bloom and the trail activity will activate Lyric Square and increase dwell time at local venues/businesses, boosting the local economy during a challenging time for highstreets.
SAFETY: We know from our Women's Safety Forum that locals feel safer with better lighting. In Bloom provides ambient light, increasing feelings of community safety.
Steps to get it done
- Signing the contract with Kumquat Lab light sculpture company
- Supporting with the logistics of installation of In Bloom
- Creating the content for the information boards and trail/quiz
- Distributing the "bees" with the quiz questions throughout the town centre
- Using our surveys to collect data on the impact of the project; creating a report
