'The Green Man' is most commonly represented as a face surrounded by leaves, or with vegetation sprouting from the nose, mouth and head. Sometimes the face is composed entirely from leaves and foliage. Green Men are used as decorative architectural features, usually representing fertility and the regenerative cycle of the seasons.

I am interested in reinterpreting ‘The Green Man’ as symbol of the city of Stoke-on-Trent at this point in time; a motif that not only represents a sense of regeneration and renewal but one that could also be used to bring about changes, by highlighting what is effectively public artwork that already exists.

Sunday, 16 May 2010

COMMON GROUND

Click here to see the Common ground call for entries



I'm currently working on a proposal for Common Ground, where Airspace Studio artists and other selected artists will respond to Hanley Park.
Here are some images that have inspired my proposal along with some mock ups for my idea, after visiting and photographing the park. My idea is based on the creation a 'green man' type creature that lives in Hanley Park. The creature will be the embodiment of the park as he is made from foliage, flowers and debris found there. The work will be based around the idea of 'sightings' of this creature along with a participatory element where the public will be invited to add foliage to the green man. I want this project to raise awareness of the habitats and natural aspects of the park, and the importance of such green spaces in the city. Also to create an out of the ordinary experience for public who may see this creature and wonder what it is- this relates to current spoofs seen on popular programmes such as facejacker, making for an entertaining and humorous experience. I still need to do a lot more work, these are just a few ideas for now:



Costume inspiration
Left: a 'Bogie' from Hasting's Jack-in-the-Green Event
Right: Hastings 'Jack in the Green'
(Images Copyright C Walton 2010 http://www.thecompanyofthegreenman.co.uk/)




Nick Cave's 'Soundsuits'



Military 'Ghillie suits'




Public interaction-Ghillie suit Artwork



'Urban Camoflauge'




Bigfoot sightings- I could create a similar map of Green Man sightings, or manipulate the park map in some way

IDEAS


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3 comments:

  1. Céline Siani Djiakoua16 May 2010 at 11:21

    ah ah ah :)) This looks really great, Kate, I am so much looking forward to seeing it ! Very funny and enigmatic at the same time !

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  2. Kate lynch16 May 2010 at 11:28

    Thanks Celine, I need to think more about the 'suit' as Ghillie suits look rather scary especially with the military links- snipers etc...so need to think about how I can aviod links to this theme...

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  3. Lynne Rowe3 June 2010 at 09:26

    Sounds great Kate - I'm sure Oliver would love to dress up as the green man - he's always asking me to make him a camouflage outfit with real leaves.

    If you use more flowers than leaves, it may not look sniper-ish. Just a thought....

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