Our Work
| Haring Woods developed Bright Sparks in 2005 as a unique funding model to support artists and designers carry out research and development projects that explore the physical and social aspects of public open space. Developed as an ideas incubator scheme, Bright Sparks was developed to address the lack of R&D opportunities which allow creative professionals such as artists, public realm designers and landscape architects the freedom to develop new ideas without the constraints of producing an end product. This new model of commissioning has furthered Haring Woods’ practice of using arts and culture to inspire change and influence current perceptions of our public spaces. The first phase of Bright Sparks funded eleven diverse projects with international partnerships between 2006 and 2009. A number of these projects are now being applied to real public realm developments, demonstrating that this new model of commissioning ‘ideas’ can result in informing new developments and instigating debate. The concept was first conceived and developed by Haring Woods, as part of Gunpowder Park’s arts and science programme, with core funding from Arts Council England East and London. Bright Sparks is currently exploring new partnerships to realise a second phase of research and development projects. Sparks Will Fly Read updates on Bright Sparks projects who are applying their research to the real world >> |
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Final Bright Sparks Publications Download all project publications below and read about the artists >> |
| More information on the Bright Sparks scheme, mentors and funders >> |
| Round 1 |
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Theresa Smith Urban Viewpoints >> |
Through her varied research and collaboration with a number of different ecological professionals, Theresa Smith developed new ways of enabling busy people in cities to become aware of the rich mix of wildlife that is often an unnoticed part of their daily lives. Download Final Report >> (251 KB PDF) |
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David Buck Tipography >> |
Inspired by contemporary music notation, David Buck's research explored how to apply the temporal qualities of music composition to a new method of drawing landscapes which would reflect the durational elements of open spaces. Download Final Report >> (5.11 MB PDF) |
| Round 2 |
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Emma Smith & Sadie Stowell SubRural >> |
Artist Emma Smith and landscape architect Sadie Stowell begun an ongoing creative investigation into how the rural landscape is perceived and how these perceptions can be recreated or simulated within inner city environments. View final research at www.subrural.co.uk |
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John Cockram Environmental Health >> |
Artist John Cockram explores how we can apply human skills and qualities such as ‘protection’, ‘well-being’ and ‘healing’ to the natural world and how the human qualities of ‘care and concern’ change when taken out of a healthcare context and are applied to the environment. Final report to follow. |
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Justin Carter Renewable Devices for Arts & Ecology >> |
Exploring the rapidly evolving possibilities of renewable energy, artist Justin Carter has developed an extensive series of ambitious proposals for functional sculptures which integrate these new technologies in social situations. Download Final Report >> (834 KB PDF) |
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The Harrison Studio & Associates (Britain) Ltd The 30 Year NOW: A future for the Lea Valley >> UPDATE >> |
Renowned American eco-artists Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison have been exploring issues associated with climate change and specifically rising sea levels around mainland Britain, and researched a specific proposal for the future of Lee Valley. Download Harisons' Final Report >> (2.25 MB PDF) |
| Round 3 |
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Michael Pinsky Order to Chaos >> |
Artist Emma Smith and landscape architect Sadie Stowell begun an ongoing creative investigation into how the rural landscape is perceived and how these perceptions can be recreated or simulated within inner city environments. View final research at www.subrural.co.uk |
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Graham Harwood, Richard Wright and Matsuko Yokokoji Eco Media >> UPDATE >> |
Eco Media proposes a new exploration of ecosystems as a communications networks that can allow exchanges of ‘viewpoint’ between the human and animal worlds. Download Final Report >> (992 KB PDF) |
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Terry Orchard and Simon Lee Dicker Sensory Navigation>> UPDATE >> |
Artists Terry and Simon developed a participatory arts project aimed at improving access to open spaces for the young people with special needs highlighting issues of navigation, accessibility, choice and interpretation. Download Final Report >> (997 KB PDF) |
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Rosanna Vitiello and Marcus Willcocks Unravelling the Urban Lexicon >>
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Designers and public space specialists, Vitiello and Willcocks investigated how the physical elements of public spaces can determine our perception of a place and influence our emotional reactions. Download Final Report >> (15.23MB PDF) |
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Alex Murdin UPDATE >> |
Immersion is a transdisciplinary project by artist Alex Murdin which researches the relationship between leisure and ecology in the UK to develop new uses for lidos, tidal pools and other water courses, exploring their potential as spaces for ecological education and recreation. Download Final Report >> (2.51MB PDF) |
This document was downloaded from: http://www.haringwoods.com