The idea
September 2020 will see Liverpool Street station transformed into a living breathing forest. Together we can change the face of more than 5 million visits over the course of the 3 week installation.
Intertwined with the OpenForest will be installation art pieces that inspire us to reconnect with the world around us, and question what we could be doing to encourage its well-being.
After September over 7,000 plants and trees will be transferred to Victoria Park, creating a permanent legacy for this project.
London inspires us every day, together we can create a space for creativity, for emotion, for connection, for inspiration. We are the change, together we can reach our and connect with one another, together we can forge a future we believe in.
What we'll deliver
- An urban forest covering 353 square metres
- An exhibition opportunity for London artists
- Provide a series of workshops and events free to attend
- Replantation of the project contributing to offsetting London's CO2
- A new green space for Tower Hamlets
Why it's a great idea
Rapid urbanisation of our major cities has led to a disconnect from nature, damaging our physiological and psychological health, as well as our climate and air quality. We believe that this does not need to be an inevitability, cities like Singapore and Madrid have seen great success with indoor green installations.
Now it is London's time. OpenForest will bring a living forest to the doorsteps of 200,000 people a day. This project will provide free exhibition space to up and coming London artists, supporting our vibrant art community. We will provide workshops and events on a range of green topics from mindfulness to sustainability, reflecting the diverse community we are working and living within.
We are thrilled to be partnering with Tower Hamlets to bring over 7000 plants to Victoria Park to be enjoyed by everyone.
Steps to get it done
- February, Confirm final landscape design, this will be shared on our project page!
- March, Work with universities, artists and local groups in surrounding boroughs to create the MISKE community programme
- June-July Recruit volunteers from local boroughs, universities, community groups, to join us for the project.
- 30th July MISKE team to visit local nurseries to choose the trees for the installation
- 30th August creation of the installation in Liverpool Street Station begins.
- 6th September, hurray! MISKE OpenForest opening celebration - a big thank you to our supporters.
- 7th - 27th September MISKE exhibition is open to everyone.
- 7th - 27th September, join us in the OpenForest for a series of events on sustainability, health and mindfulness.
- 28th September OpenForest installation dissasembled.
- 28th September - 4th October September replantation begins in Victoria Park.
- October MISKE in Victoria Park is open for the community to enjoy.
- 27th November, the impact of OpenForest, an evening to reflect and look back on what we achieved together.
The end of the installation is only the beginning, all the greenery used in the project will find a new home within Victoria Park offering a new space created by a passionate team of volunteers, for everyone to enjoy.
We are thrilled to be partnering with Tower Hamlets, a borough very close to our hearts here at Team MISKE, having been our home since we all found our way to this city.
Neighbouring the City of London, Tower Hamlets for us describes in a snapshot what this city is all about. Diversity, community, and some mind-blowingly amazing green spaces! OpenForest will become a permanent green space, making our city a little greener. We can't think of a more fitting thank-you to you, the people that make this project possible.
Special thanks go to Network Rail for their impassioned support of this project, especially to Stuart Johnson; without his tireless work and support right from the get go, you would not be on this page today!
