Art / arnolfini
Summer fun for all the family at Arnolfini
Designed to accompany the major group exhibition Forest: Wake This Ground, there will be a raft of free, family-friendly activities and workshops at Arnolfini this summer.
The exhibition will run until October 2, and includes a number of internationally acclaimed artists, writers, filmmakers and composers.
Contributing artists include: Rodrigo Arteaga, Mark Garry, Alma Heikkilä, Eva Jospin, Jumana Manna, Zakiya Mckenzie, David Nash, Maria Nepomuceno, John Newling, Rose Nguyen, Ben Rivers, Ai Weiwei, and Hildegard Westerkamp.
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The collection is an eclectic and celebratory range of creative interpretations of what lies both above, and beneath, the forest floor.
In keeping with the theme, creators in residence at Arnolfini – Let’s Make Art – are hosting forest-themed activities on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August.
Clay Workshop at Arnolfini, 2022 – photo: Alice Hendy
On Thursdays, people will have the opportunity to make nature-inspired clay sculptures that will go on to become part of Maria Nepomuceno’s installation for the exhibition: Você me Alimenta (translating as ‘you feed me’).
Visitors to Forest: Wake This Ground will notice the visual and audio stimuli at play throughout the pieces, as well as the beanbags, yoga mats and benches laid out in order to lend people the time and space to absorb their surroundings.
Clay Workshop at Arnolfini, 2022 – photo: Alice Hendy
The works on show include three artist films, suitable for all ages, shown throughout the day: Wild Relatives by Jumana Manna; Mark Garry’s An Lucht Siúil (The Walking People); and Look Then Below, from Ben Rivers.
There is also a sensory gallery guide from Bristol-based author and eco-poet (an/other pastoral), Tjawangwa Dema, and everyone is welcome to contribute their own creative responses to the works they see. Free downloads or copies of Forest Facts and Finds will be available for visitors to the exhibition, packed with helpful prompts and questions around each contributor to help make the most of the experience.
Forest Gallery Guide cover, Tjawangwa Dema – image: Arnolfini
As ever, the quiet and reflective space of the Arnolfini Reading Room will be open to all and stocked with art materials and table easels for anyone feeling inspired to use them.
Exhibition organisers are hopeful that families with children of all ages will be drawn to the space, particularly over the approaching summer holiday period.
Easel Drawing in the Reading Room at Arnolfini 2022 – photo: Arnolfini
Forest: Wake This Ground is at Arnolfini from July 9-October 2 (Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm). The exhibition is free and will be bookable in advance, though walk-ins are welcome. More information is available at www.arnolfini.org.uk.
Related to the exhibition, Let’s Make Art are running free activities at Arnolfini every Tuesday and Wednesday in August, from 11am-4pm. There is no need to book.
Main photo: Alice Hendy
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