22 August 2009

Neverland-ish

I was one of the crazy Disney fans that bought my ticket to the much anticiapte Peter Pan show in Hyde Park. Call me loonie but I actually thought it would be as good as the Lion King Production on the Strand which I saw more than once (cough! 5 times). Boy was I mistaken. The show sucked. It sucked so badly it made my high school production of it seem like a big hit.

So it came as an exciting surprise to me when I read from Time Out magazine there was a tree house jungle project going on in Regent's Park. I headed out there dragging with me a brood of hot and bothered buddies who after getting lost for an hour (the tree house project was not marked on any map in the park) to finally walk into a beautiful entrancing romantic temporary architectural project. Yes people. I was very excited. We went there not knowing what to expect but when found it was well worth the hunt. This temporary project was so un-Londonish, no rules, no health and safety, no 24 watch guards. The temporary tree houses were built with crooked stairs, branches for shelters, and donated furniture for seating all being hammered and clammed on the spot by voluntary builders who have travelled from all across the UK to help out with the project. All the structures were built around strong tree trunks, with spaces for reading ,drawing, playing the piano, painting, sleeping, and playing. It was the perfect space for children and parents alike. There was a hippie, Gypsy mood to the space that gave it an electric feel. Voluntary builders were making tables and chairs and even conducting workshops. Recycled material was used for draping, nets were being made into hammocks, signs were painted and pinned on trees. It really was an open space for activity and personality. Drawings were hung from leaves, poems were scripted everywhere, and children were making things and falling off steps. It was very fun and a magical space for everyone who came to visit. I finally got my Neverland experience.

























A moment with pattern cutter extordinaire Miniu