As the second year of Vision Mechanics’ Giants in the Forest project draws to an end, Kate Moody, Education Officer at Kilmartin House Museum reflects on how the Giant Heads inspired creative activities in Kilmartin Glen.
“Kilmartin Museum was delighted to have the opportunity to work with Vision Mechanics for a second year of Giants in the Forest. Our workshops have aimed to educate people about the wonderful creatures and plants thriving in Argyll as well as getting participants outdoors and making sure they have lots of creative fun on the way! There have been opportunities to design and make creatures from willow and tissue, an amazing range of 3D and 2D sculptures were made from golden ringed dragonflies and marsh fritillary butterflies to bog myrtle and devil’s bit scabious. At our solar dyeing workshops, children and adults dyed sheep’s fleece with plants from the rich landscape and later wove the wool into beautiful dream catchers.
All the creations joined our 3 Giants around the woodland trail at the Moine Mhor in October for the amazing Dark Wood production. Story tellers Marion Kenny and Patsy Dyer thrilled audiences with their spooky woodland tales whilst musicians Struan Thorpe and Leon Bilton created a magical atmosphere as people wound their way through the woods to the sights and sounds of owls, hen harriers, bats and moths.
The 3 Moine Mhor Giants have become very much part of the woodland environment and the Museum would like to thank Vision Mechanics for bringing such a fun element to Kilmartin Glen.”