Large wave sculptures erected at Dunwich Heath as part of exciting new arts project.
2008 is the ‘International Year of the Planet’ and to mark the occasion, the National Trust is working with environmental arts company Red Earth on an exciting new project at Dunwich Heath. 'Long Shore Drift' draws together past, present and future landscapes, illuminating the natural forces at work along the fragile Suffolk coastline, highlighting the rapid environmental transformations that are predicted to take place in the next 50 years.
The first phase of 'Long Shore Drift' is almost complete, with the creation of 'Storm Surge': a series of temporary site-specific sculptures that reflect the environmental changes taking place at Dunwich Heath. The three towering greenwood structures took three weeks to make and have been constructed by artists from Red Earth, with the help of the Suffolk National Trust Volunteer Group and staff and volunteers on site and at nearby Orford Ness.
Made from locally sourced sustainable materials such as birch, heather and reeds, the sculptures will be sited against the skyline on the heath, becoming powerful, energetic forms in the landscape. Each sculpture will be impressive in scale, depicting a wave at different stages in its evolution.
Over 200 silver birch trees were used to make the sculptures, all of which have been cut down as part of the Forestry Commission’s annual scrub clearance in nearby forest. As well as the birch, heather has been collected as part of Dunwich Heath’s winter heathland management programme and used to clad the sculptures along with over 50 square metres of reeds, cut from nearby Walberswick Marshes.
© National Trust / Jemma Finch
This innovative arts project will hopefully allow visitors to gain a greater understanding of what is happening to our natural landscape, raising their awareness of the impact that climate change is having on our coast in a different and interesting way. This installation is only just the start of a busy summer events programme for the property.
This summer, why not come and join Red Earth in a two-day arts event exploring climate change and coastal erosion. Work with artists on the beach between low and high tide and participate in a live performance on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July.
The project has all been made possible, thanks to funding that has been granted from bodies such as the Arts Council England, Suffolk Coast and Heaths Sustainable Development Fund, Suffolk County Council, the National Trust and others as well as the generosity of local organisations such as the RSPB and the Forestry Commission.
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