Latest News
Posted on August 31st 2021
Bringing a Forest to the City
Morisi, Year 8, writes about the Forest for Change project that our students participated in last term.
We had an amazing experience at Somerset House at the “Forest for Change” project this term, not least because it was such a delight to go on trips again and become immersed in the best that London has to offer.
It has always been prohibited to grow trees as part of an exhibition at Somerset House, but this year as part of the Somerset House “Biennale” exhibition, artistic director Es Devlin decided to challenge this rule.
He chose to bring a forest to the city to help us reflect upon their value to the globe. From our visit we reflected upon the legacy of forests and their role in the fight against climate change.
We learnt about the importance of flora for our ecosystem and its positive impact on our environment. In fact, the “forest architect” shared with us the fact that 30 “forests” the size of the exhibition would equate to enough carbon capture to remedy 300 flights to Australia.
I enjoyed getting lost within the forest and exploring the odours of pine, the warmth of the red filbert hazel and the texture of the sequoia.
There was a range of trees on exhibition, and each served a purpose within a coniferous climate. The floral diversity that we saw was fascinating and the experience made me ponder the intricate relationships between each living being on our planet.
I enjoyed getting lost within the forest and exploring the odours of pine, the warmth of the red filbert hazel and the texture of the sequoia. I quietly relished the gentle time to myself to draw and reflect in nature. I reflected upon which of the trees around me will be present in Southwark when I am an old man.
By Morisi, Year 8
Click HERE to read more about the Forest for Change.
