The new installation in the courtyard of Somerset House is 'Forest for Change' by Es Devlin and it really is a small forest. It's odd to see the usually pristine and bare courtyard now filled with various trees. Other than the annual Christmas Tree, I wonder when the last time was that a tree actually stood where Somerset House now is? It's there to celebrate the London Design Biennale and highlights the United Nations' Global Goals and I suspect it'll do a great job of bringing in the curious to get some education about the Goals and what they mean to us. It worked with me.
The forest is all that big really - it's in a courtyard after all - but there are plenty of little trails amongst the trees so you can inspect the trees, shrubs and individual plants as you wander. Woodchip covers the ground to give it more of a feel for the forest and eases walking on the cobblestones. The trees aren't terribly old or tall so, wherever you look, are the buildings of Somerset House poking out above the trees. You can't miss it. Entry to the Biennale is by ticket but visiting the forest is free of charge whenever you're in the area.
Keep walking through the forest and you come to a clearing with a circle of metal 'monoliths', one for each of the UN Global Goals. They're in different colours and partially mirrored and seemed to be very popular with visitors while I was there.
The first Goal is 'No Poverty' and the side of the 'monolith' includes a quote from Nelson Mandela: "Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the action of human beings.".
I really liked it and it does an excellent job of attracting visitors - a forest at Somerset House? - and drawing attention to the Global Goals. Take time to look around the 'monoliths' and see which quotes have been picked to highlight each one. Plus, it's free to enjoy so why not?
No comments:
Post a Comment