ART IN THE PARK

I'd made a rather large birds nest out of willow during a workshop taken by London based artist Oliver MacDonald. Besides taking up precious space, it looked out of place hanging in the studio-but what do you do with a 5ft bird nest? I don't have a garden let alone a tree to hang it in- unlike my local (Hyde) Park in Leeds-an abundance of trees crying out for adornment. It was the perfect opportunity for a spot of Guerrilla art, not only allowing me to reclaim the studio but a chance to gauge audience reaction to art outside of the traditional gallery space.

So armed with string and scissors and with the help of my lad 'J', it was off to the park with it to find a suitable tree. We found one right in the middle where the paths cross and the constant stream of student traffic is heavy. I purposely chose a tree near a bench so l could observe at leisure and not like a stalker from the bushes.

Using the string we hoisted the nest into its new spot and tied it securely- just high enough to peep inside on tiptoe at the dozens of empty egg shells I've been collecting since summer (don't ask me why). I attatched  a label inviting people to comment in this blog on the work or send a photo of themselves with the piece.

The lad and l sat a while admiring our handy work and checking reactions. Some stopped in their tracks bemused, some took an intrigued glance and one or two looked down right scared (how big IS that bird) but all in all it raised a few smiles and didnt look out of place. I was fair buzzing by the time l left the park and looking forward to some feedback.

 That was last Thursday- by Friday the nest had flown, gone with nothing more than a scattering of empty egg shell as evidence  it had ever been there.

Now if students (lets say) have hijacked it and its hanging in the corner of some bedsit somewhere, l dont mind so much- as long as someones getting something from it but..... if a jobs worth park keeper has dumped it in a skip, l shall be less pleased.

If you have the nest or know of its whereabouts, please drop a line or send a pic- tell me what you think to it. What is it doing now???

If, Mr park keeper you've trashed it, l hope you sleep at night-you've destroyed a potential home to a lot of birds.

Watch this space- lm already hatching (get it) my next plan- Badmother will be back.