Free Range Birdcage
Location: Carr’s Basin, New River Loop, Enfield, Middlesex
Date: Spring / Summer 2004
Commissioning body: Enfield Council
About the project:
Having seen the MA show at Chelsea, Enfield Arts Unit was keen to commission a piece of artwork that would celebrate and raise the profile of their newly restored section of the aqueduct that loops through Enfield Town.
The ‘New River’, which is neither new nor a river, was completed in 1613 to bring fresh drinking water to London.
However, although it no longer transports drinking water it still constitutes a glorious blue belt that winds its way through the town adding an extra dimension to the atmosphere of the locale, and providing habitat for a variety of wildfowl.
On visiting the site it was evident that man and nature can live side by side in a symbiotic relationship given the chance, and hence it was this idea that generated the concept of the ‘Free Range Birdcage’.
So, with that thought in mind a 6.5m floating pontoon was created that resembled an old fashioned metal birdcage, which through a series of wooden ramps allowed the birds free access on and off the structure. Once installed the raft provided a safe roosting and nesting place away from the banks, which were boarded and stark. The outer periphery was planted with fast growing gunneras and grasses that eventually grew up to make good cover for the birds.
Materials:
Steel mesh, steel rod, polystyrene, horticultural fabric, plants, wood, recycled spinnaker fabric, wire
Dimensions:
Diameter 6.5m height 3m
Associated projects:
Date: Spring / Summer 2004
Commissioning body: Enfield Council
About the project:
Having seen the MA show at Chelsea, Enfield Arts Unit was keen to commission a piece of artwork that would celebrate and raise the profile of their newly restored section of the aqueduct that loops through Enfield Town.
The ‘New River’, which is neither new nor a river, was completed in 1613 to bring fresh drinking water to London.
However, although it no longer transports drinking water it still constitutes a glorious blue belt that winds its way through the town adding an extra dimension to the atmosphere of the locale, and providing habitat for a variety of wildfowl.
On visiting the site it was evident that man and nature can live side by side in a symbiotic relationship given the chance, and hence it was this idea that generated the concept of the ‘Free Range Birdcage’.
So, with that thought in mind a 6.5m floating pontoon was created that resembled an old fashioned metal birdcage, which through a series of wooden ramps allowed the birds free access on and off the structure. Once installed the raft provided a safe roosting and nesting place away from the banks, which were boarded and stark. The outer periphery was planted with fast growing gunneras and grasses that eventually grew up to make good cover for the birds.
Materials:
Steel mesh, steel rod, polystyrene, horticultural fabric, plants, wood, recycled spinnaker fabric, wire
Dimensions:
Diameter 6.5m height 3m
Associated projects:
- Model raft race with yr8 boys from Enfield Grammar School.
- Workshop with yr4 children at Chases Side Primary School making flowers to decorate raft.
- River Festival Day, origami boat making workshop.
