In a Forest - Can Legs be Art?

Take 20 kids, a sunny winter’s day and a forest that is sadly mostly closed due to windblow from the last storms.

This last factor might have spelt disappointment for one Yr 5/6 class, looking forward to their first outing after 2 years of covid restrictions.

However, thanks to the huge efforts of a beleaguered staff and volunteers at Grizedale in ensuring the safety of the area about the Yan, and the flexibility and imagination of learning partner, Phil of ‘Classrooms in the Forest’ not only did the trip go ahead but all criteria fulfilled with verve and enjoyment; a new generation becoming inspired to think deeply about the natural environment.

The theme was Art, but despite the sunshine there was a chill February wind so outdoor activity needed to be energetic and engaging. Walking up from the car park Phil regaled the children with tales of the history of Forestry in the valley entwined with exciting escape stories of the German POWs held in old Grizedale Hall. Could the remains of the monumental terrace frontage be considered Art, they wondered? Did a sense of history enhance art? These kids were very switched on!

Sketching came next, using charcoal as a medium and linking this to the traditional industries of the forest. They were given 2mins to observe and make a record at each art installation on the Ridding Wood trail. They finished at the wooden sheep where Mark and a group of volunteers were re-instating eroded stream banks. It was salutary to have such a great example of how much care a forest needs to continue functioning, particularly in the face of so many uprooted and smashed trees. They also raised further questions - were these workers, painstakingly constructing with earth and stone, any less artists than those that carved the sheep or built the shelter? Could a windblown tree, such as that still lodged above the roof of the Yan be considered art? Debatable, although later they discovered the mouldering lichen covered trunk inside its own fence in the Grizedale courtyard is definitely listed as No 1 installation.

A quick warm up in the Yan and then on to nature-based Art. ‘The Quarry’ installation with its slate-scale back and many wooden legs was fascinating to them and quickly became interactive. Is it a path? a bridge? a creature with many legs? And, oh look, now some of its legs have feet and wellies!
Under a venerable beech tree they had 20 mins to make their own installations out of natural materials ‘a la Goldsworthy’. These ranged from an abstract stick mobile swinging from a branch, to a fishing scene – larch cone goldfish swimming on a tree-stump pond – to a flat poster with foot high stick lettering proclaiming it the BOYZ ZONE.
Verbally justifying each creation as Art was a bit trickier, especially as lunch was now calling. This was eaten energetically outside and generated the question, are children throwing handfuls of leaves up in unison art? Perhaps only when photographed?

The day finished with a surge of activity on the play area. But for Phil and the teachers watching, who knew if the snaking aerial walkways were an installation in their own right or if the constantly moving children constitute art, artists or audience.

‘I’ve been here mountain biking before,’ said one lad. ‘And I thought, compared to that, art was going to be boring – but it’s been the best outing ever.’