A group of Bath area firms and organisations are to transform the city’s historic Queen Square into a temporary fantastical landscape and outdoor gallery for a four-day contemporary arts event.
The Forest of Imagination, which runs from May 15-18, will showcase Bath’s often hidden creativity and the outdoor gallery – ‘a gallery without walls’ – will feature a series of artworks and temporary architectural structures and the House of Imagination will bring a playful programme of workshops and events. 
The Forest of Imagination has been created by architects Grant Associates and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, graphic design, branding and web design agency Ideas of the Mind, oak-framed building firm Carpenter Oak, office furniture firm Herman Miller, the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) and Bath Spa University
They have been joined by arts project Bath Illuminate and 5x5x5=creativity, an arts-based action research organisation with charitable status that supports children and young people in their exploration and expression of ideas, helping them develop creative skills for life. Herman Miller and Bath & North East Somerset Council are sponsors.
Grant Associates director Andrew Grant said: “The Forest of Imagination reinvents Queen Square as an artistic, playful world where the creative spirit of the city has fun with this familiar Georgian landscape. It’s a wake-up call to let everyone know Bath did not stop evolving 200 years ago.”
Penny Hay, director of 5x5x5=creativity and senior lecturer at Bath Spa University, added: “We believe, and research shows, that creativity and imagination can enhance wellbeing and transform lives. The Forest of Imagination is an invitation to adults and children to come and explore their own creativity and imagination. We want to put Bath on the map as a constellation of creative activity.”
The Forest of Imagination design includes:
The Forest enclosure, which features mixed forest saplings, understorey grasses and a willow tunnel running across the middle. Playing with space the mini forest will be made giant by the tiny world created within it of small creatures, dwellings and birds with an art installation by artist Edwina Bridgeman.
The Forest Pole enclosure created by Charley Brentnall will work round a complete circle to create a self-supporting enclosure.
The Bamboo enclosure, designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, is a 14.4m x 12 m space screened with vertical bamboo canes. Musical devices are attached to the poles for interaction with the visitors. Performances and activities will take place at the centre of the enclosure.
A gigantic magic white rabbit 6.5 metres high will be inflated and pop up in different locations in the Forest throughout the four-day event.
This is the second year that Forest of Imagination has been staged in Bath after a successful debut in the grounds of Bath School of Art and Design, Bath Spa University on Sion Hill in July last year
For more information visit www.forestofimagination.com.
