31st October 2020, 12pm to 5pm

Meadows Shopping Centre, Chelmsford

#WildingChelmsford

Throughout the recent period of covid 19 inflicted lockdown, people have sought outdoor spaces such as woods, waterways, meadows and nature reserves as a way to cope with the strains and pressures that being away from friends and family has put on their well-being and mental health. Now is the time to celebrate the natural environments of Chelmsford and suggest ways in which we can bring nature back into our future towns and cities in a way that is sustainable for all creatures. Developing an eco-system that will allow humans and nature to live side by side in a symbiotic relationship.

Wilding Chelmsford is a collaborative sound and visual installation to provoke thinking about our City and what it could become. We will transform an empty retail unit into an indoor garden playing host to an audio / visual installation. The audio part will be an improvised piece composed live using modular and hardware synths making use of the cutting-edge technology of quadraphonic surround sound to create a truly immersive experience. Alongside this will be visuals taking images from the Chelmsford City Events Photo Competition in conjunction with computer generated art.

Bringing a sense of calm to a busy shopping centre and provoking conversations about how our lives, driven by consumption, is damaging the place we call home. You’ll leave feeling relaxed and with a new found energy to help build a better future.

We will be collaborating with local artist Elspeth Manders who will be creating two murals to enhance the feeling of being within nature
https://www.artbyelspeth.com/

and many local poets and creative writers who will lend their voices and thoughts

Wilding Chelmsford forms part of Chelmsford County Council’s Future City Project
https://loveyourchelmsford.co.uk/futurecity/

and is supported by

Essex2020

https://www.essex2020.com/

Music performed live by:
Andrew Wright
Chris Adam

Poems written and performed by:
Essex Steamettes
Katie Deverell
Linda Middleton
Rebecca Hughes
Shane Ibbs

In partnership with:

Chelmsford City Council
https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/

Chelmsford Community Radio
http://www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com/

Essex2020
https://www.essex2020.com/

Essex Book Festival
https://essexbookfestival.org.uk/

Essex Steamettes
https://www.southendtech.co.uk/essex-steamettes

Meadows Shopping Centre
https://themeadows.co.uk/

Spotlight Sound
https://www.spotlightsound.co.uk/

Writtle Agricultural College
https://writtle.ac.uk/

Wilding Chelmsford is a free event and open to all ages. Covid 19 safety measures will be in place. Please ensure you are wearing a mask at all times when inside the installation and respect everyone’s space