Interactive walk in Frome for Somerset Art Weeks

ARTISTS, Lucia Harley and Claire Beale, took over the streets of Frome on Saturday 1st October, leading a group of ticketed participants in search of plants often considered weeds. It was a bid to celebrate these small, determined life forces, in tandem with the determination of people despite the odds.

The weather was kind as the gathered crowd experienced sculptural intervention, sound and performance. Beautiful Ganesha chanting amidst overgrown disorder, images that flew up into the air, a tower built and deconstructed as an ode, meadow-grass, dandelions, ribwort plantain, life affirming penny whistle, little boats that spun down Cheap Street gulley and the waving of flags as a final celebration of the plants and community of Frome.

A spokesperson said, “Everything went smoothly. There were new surprises at every corner which were described by one as ‘a real fresh step out of the norm.’ The boat release was a highlight, a coming together of everyone, with passers-by joining in, young and old alike.”

This small project (part funded through a micro-commission from Somerset Art Works) emerged from another one Lucia is developing based partly in Brazil, focusing on plants and people, inspired by her parents who are botanists, living and working in north-east Brazil.

Community engagement is an important element of this project including individuals and Frome based groups, Pod Plus for young adults who have additional needs, and Active and In Touch which helps combat isolation and loneliness. Participants cast boats and printed flags at workshops run by Lucia and Claire, which were used during the event. They also shared their determination, stories and humour, which informed the outcome.

Lucia said, “This event highlights the things that we walk by that appear to be insignificant. To focus on plants considered as weeds I think starts a discussion surrounding our attitude towards plants and whether one planted in a flower bed is of more value than one growing from a crack in the pavement. It says a lot about our feelings of control concerning our environment, nature though has a life force of its own regardless.”