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Imagine Bamboo is Everywhere!
Marvel at the giant bamboo structures made by local artists this August!
Bamboozling artwork!
Giant animated artworks, made entirely of sustainable bamboo, are set to come to life in this year’s Liverpool City Region Cultural Events programme.
Part of Mayor Steve Rotheram’s 1% for Culture programme which earmarks 1% of the CA’s core funding to activities designed to promote culture and creativity, the large-scale art project ‘Imagine Bamboo is Everywhere’ will see communities from across the city region building six interlinked artworks.
Delivered by outdoor arts company Imagineer Productions with Creative Director Orit Azaz and produced with Culture Liverpool, the huge structures will appear in each of our six local authority areas in August along with performances, music and craft workshops at outdoor events.
What is there to see?
The structures have been inspired by local themes and landscapes such as the views of Wirral, the bridges of Halton and the waves on Sefton’s beaches.
Every weekend, in each location across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral, the public will be able to marvel at the ingenious bamboo structures, enjoy performances, live music from the Imagine Bamboo Orchestra led by Pagoda Arts, test out their balance and climbing skills on some specially made bamboo play equipment and have a go at making their own creations in the bamboo crafting zones. No Fit State Circus will also be performing at the St Helens event on 5th August as part of their Borough of Culture.
Sustainable Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the strongest, most flexible and sustainable materials in the world. It has uses in design, construction, green innovation, farming, toxic soil remediation and carbon capture.
Local residents, young climate leaders and artists from across Liverpool City Region came together with engineers from Atelier One and bamboo specialists from four continents to explore bamboo as a sustainable material for the future.
The project is using locally grown borinda bamboo, originally from mountainous Tibet, brought to the UK by a botanist working for University of Liverpool and grown at Ness Botanical Gardens, They have allowed the team to explore what can be designed, made and built for Imagine Bamboo is Everywhere in Liverpool City Region.
More about Imagine Bamboo is Everywhere
Imagine Bamboo is Everywhere is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and delivered in partnership with Imagineer and independent creative director Orit Azaz, with producer and production support from Culture Liverpool.
Imagine Bamboo is Everywhere is presented in association with Halton Borough Council, Sefton Council, Wirral Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, St Helens Borough Council, Liverpool City Council. Imagine Bamboo is Everywhere is supported by Arts Council England, Heart of Glass, Ness Botanic Garden, Newton Town Show, Liverpool City Region Music Board and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
Keep up-to-date on the day
A ‘wacky races’ of bamboo bikes and trikes will be heading to all six areas of the city region ahead of weekend events held in each of the boroughs during August where the spectacular bamboo art installations will be exhibited. But what if it rains?
Keep up to date with any changes to events on the day here:
Breakdown
Butterfly Wings
Commissioned for the Knowsley Flower Show, the Butterfly Wings follow a parabolic twist, like a wing in movement.
Artist: Brian D Hanlon with Stephanie O’Hara
The Pod
Inspired by the cell structure of bamboo under the microscope.
Artist: Faith Bebbington
Bamboo Dreams
Inspired by the colours and movement of the Newton Show in St Helens, Bamboo Dreams contrasts the natural curves of the landscape with the harsh lines of industry.
Artist: Stephen Banning
The Curve in the Line
It’s about taking a long straight line of bamboo – splitting, curving and weaving it. Creating beautiful curves from a straight line.
Artist: Hannah Bold
Framing Nature
An invitation to view things differently, inspired by the incredible views of Wirral Country Park.
Artist: Becky Bryson
Under the sea
Bringing the waves closer to Southport.
Artist: Julian Taylor
The Lines and Curves
Straight canes create curves with exceptional strength. A reflection of the Halton bridges, linking communities and industry.
Artist: Sarah Gallagher-Hayes
In Flight
Experimenting with splitting bamboo to create the curve and lightness of butterfly wings.
Artist: Sarah Gallagher-Hayes
Windmills
Inspired by a meadow of wildflowers and responding to the wonderful windy Wirral.
Artist: Alex Herring
Bamboo Bends
Created with Walton Youth and Greenhouse Project in Liverpool, experimenting with how to bend bamboo.
Artist: Steve Threlfall / Urban Workbench
Events
Newton Town Show, Mesnes Park, Newton le Willows 11am-5pm
Sat 5th August
With a special guest appearance from NoFit State Circus!
Knowsley Flower Show, Court Hey Park, Huyton 11am-5pm
Sun 6th August
Free for all pedestrians & cyclists, £5 all-day parking on-site for cars
EcoFest, Victoria Park, Widnes, Halton 12-4pm
Sat 12th August
Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston, Wirral 11am-4pm
Sat 19th August
Great George Square, Chinatown, Liverpool 11am-4pm
Sun 20th August
Kings Gardens, Southport, Sefton 11am-4pm
Sat 26th August
