Poetry by David

We are delighted to share these beautiful poems created by Men’s Group participant David. Music The beat of the drum matching your heart beatYour body resounding to the beatThe beat uplifting you higherYou feel if the beat is lifting you into the air as the beat gets fasterThen the beat slows and gradually you feel […]

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We are delighted to share these beautiful poems created by Men’s Group participant David.

Music

The beat of the drum matching your heart beat
Your body resounding to the beat
The beat uplifting you higher
You feel if the beat is lifting you into the air as the beat gets faster
Then the beat slows and gradually you feel as if the beat is putting you down
You come back down to earth not with a bang but gently
The feeling of exhileration
The gradual release of the energy
Tired but happy.

New Year

A new year start feels just like the last.
But the new brings with it the promise of change.
Whether good or bad just like weather.
The weather can be heavy snow in some places and none in others.
The other places can have dry sunny days or a downpour of cold rain.
The weather will change from the dismal to the cold but dry to warmer but dry days.
To finally hot sunny days.
These are the promise of the new year things getting better.
Not just in regards the weather but in all things in life.
A new year brings change in all things not just the weather or life but everything that the year will brings.

Check out David’s blog for more thoughts & scribbles

Wildscope by Zoe Pearson

Opening 11th August 2018 as part of the Big Summer Get Together at the rill area of The Hidden Gardens, Wildscope is a permanent outdoor exhibition marking The Hidden Gardens 15th anniversary, featuring a series of newly commissioned artworks by Zoe Pearson. We interviewed both Zoe and the curator Yi-An Shiau who has placed the […]

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Opening 11th August 2018 as part of the Big Summer Get Together at the rill area of The Hidden Gardens, Wildscope is a permanent outdoor exhibition marking The Hidden Gardens 15th anniversary, featuring a series of newly commissioned artworks by Zoe Pearson.

We interviewed both Zoe and the curator Yi-An Shiau who has placed the work in the context of new materialsm and craftivism.

What is the exhibition about?

  • Zoe explained that the exhibition is about Taoism, the Bagua map and is related to Feng Shui. Basically the rill area is separated into four sections based on the compass points of North, South, East and West. The Bagua Map organises the elements, concepts such as nature, environment and surroundings; it is similar to the Islamic Garden design.
  • The pieces made are intended for visitors to explore the area more, with different perspectives.
  • Yi-An said she believes Zoe’s work ‘is very special and invites people to build their sensory experiences.’ Adding that ‘New Materialism thinks about perspective, non-human entities and also materials, how the materials are felt and expressed by the artist.’

There are four installations:

IMG_3981The Bird Bath Bowl, in collaboration with ceramist Ele Paul. The bowl holds water which is linked to North on the Bagua Map and is intended for animals of the Gardens to use, and people to use as an opportunity to reflect and observe.

IMG_4162The Learning Log was carved by Zoe as a tactile piece to emphasise the qualities of the wood so people can feel it with their hands and pick it up. ‘There is a balance to the piece, so when someone sits on it or touches it, or explores it with their hands, the weight and shape of the log is collaboration between a persons movements and touch, and the material of the wood. A mutual understanding is formed with interacting with the log. The piece suits all ages.

IMG_4005The Living Mountain is an ‘insect hotel’, a pile of logs and hollowed out trunk. It is put together with plants on top of it for insects to live. Related to the West on the Bagua Map, ‘The theme of unseen assistance and the idea is that insects provide pollination, food for birds etc. They assist the environment in many different ways most of us may be unaware of. It is an environment for insects and allows people a view into the world of insects.’

The Recycled Rug is a knotted rug made out of odd plastic bags, representing the East of the Bagua Map, and ‘signifies family and group strength and support. Using plastic (something that is wasted) and turning it into something that is useful and attractive. Giving discarded materials a life and story and the rug is a continuation of the use of storytelling in the Garden previously. the Recycled Rug opens up a new dialogue about using waste and creates a platform to discuss the common thing in their daily life.’

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Presented as part of the 2018 Graduate Deegree Show of the MLitt Curatorial Practice (Contemporary Art) course programme, established jointly by the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow. 

By James, volunteer

 

Bone Meal, Glasgow International 2018

From Friday 20th April- Monday 7th May there was an exhibition, event and performance entitled ‘Bone Meal’ running at The Hidden Gardens as part of Glasgow International 2018. Bone meal brings together six Glasgow based artists to show new work at The Hidden Gardens.  Using performance and writing to develop sculpture, sound, and video installations, […]

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From Friday 20th April- Monday 7th May there was an exhibition, event and performance entitled ‘Bone Meal’ running at The Hidden Gardens as part of Glasgow International 2018.

Bone meal brings together six Glasgow based artists to show new work at The Hidden Gardens.  Using performance and writing to develop sculpture, sound, and video installations, our work engages with the living and life-supporting elements of the garden.  (Glasgow International 2018, Festival Guide, p.57).

We interviewed two of the artists/ performers Suzanne and Amy whose work was called “Time Pieces”

What is the inspiration for the installations?

The formed space of the Garden itself and its geometrics and the tools we have been working with allows for playful interaction with the Garden’s space, each other and the tools.

Why is the exhibition important?

It brings six different Glasgow artists together and invited outside artists for a collaborative project. It allows a series of pieces ‘to happen’, when you have this opportunity.  An idea gets to be manifested, working with your own time, not clock time, realising a different sense of time and finding your own time in nature.

What do you hope the public take from the exhibition?

We want to invite people to keep their own time too, it’s important for people to see that art and play can be the same thing. Working together allows artists to reflect off each other.

How has the experience of working together over these years changed the way you work?

Both of us have developed a new sensibility through a shared understanding, paying attention to an intimate close relationship, rather than a global context of social media and inter connectivity, trying to stay connected through art.

The exhibition was interesting and thought provoking, we would like to thank all of the artist’s for their contributions and hard work.

James, volunteer

Our Hidden Gardens

In Summer 2016 The Hidden Gardens embarked on a pilot project that brought together participants from all of our programme strands with some others who had never visited the Gardens before. They embarked on a 12 week programme  of activity that centred on arts and creativity, horticulture and the environment and health and wellbeing. Allotmenting, […]

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In Summer 2016 The Hidden Gardens embarked on a pilot project that brought together participants from all of our programme strands with some others who had never visited the Gardens before. They embarked on a 12 week programme  of activity that centred on arts and creativity, horticulture and the environment and health and wellbeing.

Allotmenting, Ceramics, Foraging, Cooking, Walking Mindfulness and spoon carving were some of the activities tried, and Artist Ewan Sinclair worked with the group, producing a series of beautiful digital drawings which were collated into a keepsake publication for participants.

Ewan’s images can be viewed on the project blog: ourhiddengardens.tumblr.com

Our Hidden Gardens
‘Potting On’

 

A Winter Solstice

Allan Hughes, one of our dedicated gardening volunteers, wrote a piece of prose inspired by seasonal beauty of The Hidden Gardens. Entitled ‘A Winter Solstice’, it is our pleasure to share it with you: A Winter Solstice The Shortest Day A winter mist silently shrouds the Hidden Gardens. The still white cloud quietly cloaks the […]

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A winter solstice_Allan Hughes 2240 x 2040

Allan Hughes, one of our dedicated gardening volunteers, wrote a piece of prose inspired by seasonal beauty of The Hidden Gardens.

Entitled ‘A Winter Solstice’, it is our pleasure to share it with you:

A Winter Solstice

The Shortest Day

A winter mist silently shrouds the Hidden Gardens. The still white cloud quietly cloaks the sleeping settlement. The air is cold, fresh and moist.

High up, a crow’s caw cuts into the sky as the diffuse glow of morning light begins to permeate the slowly rising haze.

The shimmering shadow of a returning fox briefly disrupts the calm; then fades. The quiet returns.

As dawn gradually breaks, groups of nestling bushes and shrubs awaken with the rustling of rousing wildlife.

Trees stretch with a concertina of balletic branches praising the arrival of the new day. The clinging mist finally releases and ascends, leaving a glistening layer of silvery white frost settling on the emerging pasture.

The delicate blades of grass sparkle in the morning light.

At the far corner of the extending lawn, the solitary figure of a Ginko tree stands tall and proud like a wise tribal elder. Its branches spiral upwards to the heavens. The surrounding congregation bows reverently in anticipation of the winter solstice.

Then, all is hushed. A single track of tiny prints zips through the crisp, white frost. All focus on the track as it makes its way towards the bottom corner of the lawn. Towards the Ginkgo Tree. The footprints come to a halt.

A little Robin Red Breast stands boldly on the cold, glittery grass, arching its head, to address the rising giant.

A loud silence fills the air. The little Robin hops closer, perching on the tree’s knobbly roots. Its tiny beak chirps……the silence gets louder……the Ginko considers the wee postulating creature……the silence intensifies…..then…at last, all is well…harmony prevails as the Robin Red Breast takes off, spiralling upwards, playfully twirling in and around the giants welcoming branches. All is bright.

The Longest Night

It’s Dusk. A single snowflake drops delicately downwards towards Earth, floating precariously with the light breeze, hovering over thousands of orangey-yellow iridescent lights. A dark, imposing, organic shape
appears amongst the opalescent illuminations. As the little snowflake descends, the contours of the mysterious formation slowly expand, revealing a vast landscape surrounded by an abundance of diverse
dense foliage. On entering the grounds, the snowflake gravitates towards the long strip of land. Downwards it falls, steadily descending, prepares to land, then settles safely on the glistening grass.

The little Robin perched up high, shivers as it quietly looks on as more and more fragile crystals parachute by, filling the air with a kaleidoscope of colliding snowflakes forever freely falling. The wind picks up. More
and more frozen flakes are boisterously launched into the air in a sustained onslaught. Myriads of sparkling fragments hurriedly jostle for space, propelling bursts of snow into every nook and cranny. No corner is spared. Then, when the biting gusts of wind, at last, relent, the hail slows up, until, eventually, the invasion finally ceases. The quiet returns.

The Robin peeps out from its shelter. All is clear. The landing is complete. The slumbering garden is now thickly blanketed by soft, pure, white snow. All is calm.

A full moon illuminates the newly colonised terrain. The lunar light diffuses a cool, serene glow over the opulent gardens. The undulating snow softly cloaks the clusters of huddling bushes. Branches bend with lilting leaves. The undergrowth is hidden out of sight. As the last snowdrop falls to earth, the tranquil evening moonlight blesses the winters night. The long, untouched lawn elegantly emerges evenly covered, edge to edge, with a thick coating of soft, fresh, snow. Up above in the clear night sky, the Ginkgo tree is eloquently silhouetted by an aurora of celestial light, as a constellation of stars twinkle brightly in celebration of the solar resurrection. It’s the longest night.

The long silent night encloses in on the world. The Earth is at rest. The garden is sound asleep. The evening is still, quiet, at peace.

Reaching upward, the Ginkgo tree embraces The Heavens. The surrounding ensemble bows as the ethereal cycle unfolds. The tree’s outstretching branches herald the Transformation of Time.

It is a time of change. Seasons change. Dark gives to light. Night to day. What was dormant, will now grow. As the night passes and eventually draws to a close, the passage of Time will bequest its gift to Creation. The hidden world will awaken to the unveiling of the divine light of dawn, radiating with the essence of the suns’ warming presence, that shall transfigure a new beginning, a new day, a new life.

Bike-powered Film Screening at The Hidden Gardens

Thursday 23 October, 5-7pm The Hidden Gardens Free! Join us for a twilight bike-powered film premiere, followed a discussion and home-made soup, at The Hidden Gardens Produced by local young people, these short films depict community events that took place in The Hidden Gardens over the summer: our Mandela Celebration, and the Commonwealth Youth Dance […]

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Flyer for our twilight bike-powered film screening
Flyer for our twilight bike-powered film screening

Thursday 23 October, 5-7pm
The Hidden Gardens
Free!

Join us for a twilight bike-powered film premiere, followed a discussion and home-made soup, at The Hidden Gardens

Produced by local young people, these short films depict community events that took place in The Hidden Gardens over the summer: our Mandela Celebration, and the Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival. The screenings will be followed by a lively discussion over tasty homemade soup, made by our Cultural Cookery volunteers!

The young film makers have captured the atmosphere and significance of the two recent events: our Mandela Celebration, a celebration of volunteering; and the Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival in which 500 young people from across the Commonwealth performed in Tramway and the Hidden Gardens. The films have common themes of ‘welcome’, ‘friendship’ and ‘peaceful togetherness’.

The discussion will include time for us all to reflect on the impact of the ‘call to action’ launched at the Mandela Celebration to “Pledge 67 minutes to your community through volunteering”. We will be asking what are the needs of the community that volunteering can fulfil, what creative ways there are to use volunteers, and what action people want to take next. We hope you can join us for this fascinating event.

Please note: This is an outdoor event, so please wear warm clothes
Booking is recommended. To book, please email administrator@thehiddengardens.org.uk

Recreating The Hidden Gardens

There are many beautiful parts of The Hidden Gardens, and we love seeing people take photos of all the flowers and wildlife in our wee space. This summer an art group visited The Hidden Gardens and recreated some of the sights. We love this watercolour by Maryel – it feels gentle, and communicates the peaceful […]

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Beautiful watercolour of the chimney by a member of the Round About Art Group
Beautiful watercolour of the chimney by Maryel, a member of the Round About Art Group

There are many beautiful parts of The Hidden Gardens, and we love seeing people take photos of all the flowers and wildlife in our wee space.

This summer an art group visited The Hidden Gardens and recreated some of the sights. We love this watercolour by Maryel – it feels gentle, and communicates the peaceful atmosphere of The Hidden Gardens beautifully.

Have you drawn, painted, photographed, embroidered, sculpted anything from The Hidden Gardens? We’d love to see! Email blog@thehiddengardens.org.uk with your creations.

Guest post from Young Film-Maker Charandeep

Our young film-makers are working with the footage they’ve taken at the Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival and Mandela Celebrations, and we’re looking forward to sharing their work with you later in the year. Here’s a guest post from another of our young film-makers, Charandeep. The experience of working with this project has been really great […]

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Our young film-makers are working with the footage they’ve taken at the Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival and Mandela Celebrations, and we’re looking forward to sharing their work with you later in the year. Here’s a guest post from another of our young film-makers, Charandeep.

The experience of working with this project has been really great so far. I have been really excited to learn to interpret and convey values through the medium of film, something which is so relevant to my volunteering at the Glasgow Gurdwara.

My favourite part so far has been meeting the young people from Scottish Ballet and Singapore and learning about how they communicate to each other through dance.

The thing I’m really looking forward to is the editing process – that’s the bit that really interests me. To be able to formulate a 15 minute film from hours of footage will be a really exciting process. I want to use the time remaining to be taught by our mentors how to use what can be complicated software, like Final Cut Pro – it will be really great.

Bringing all these areas together has been the Hidden Gardens. The Gardens have been the core of the whole project – it’s our meeting space, social space, work space and relaxation space! It really has the power of bringing people together. A true gem of a space in Glasgow.

Guest post from Young Film-Maker Thierry

One of the young film-makers Thierry talks about his first impressions of The Hidden Gardens. It’s been such a great experience working at the Hidden Gardens as I didn’t know anything about the location before. The Hidden Gardens has such a beautiful external space and when it came to filming it was nothing but a […]

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One of the young film-makers Thierry talks about his first impressions of The Hidden Gardens.

It’s been such a great experience working at the Hidden Gardens as I didn’t know anything about the location before. The Hidden Gardens has such a beautiful external space and when it came to filming it was nothing but a wonderful adventure. When you think you have discovered it all there is more to explore, more to capture on camera, and more to discuss with your teammates.

This filming experience taught me a lot about the importance of planning and preparing. The garden generates such a fun, friendly, and relaxing environment where everyone can collaborate and learn something new.

Thierry

Young Film-Makers welcome dancers to the Hidden Gardens

Our Youth Film-Making Project began last week, with our young film-makers greeting 11 dancers from Singapore, on an exchange programme with Scottish Ballet. Once introductions were made, everybody split into groups to either take a tour of the Sanctuary Gardens, or make their own delicious shortbread. The dancers will be participating in the first ever […]

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Some of our film-makers taking footage
Carol from Scrumptious Productions and some of our film-makers taking footage

Our Youth Film-Making Project began last week, with our young film-makers greeting 11 dancers from Singapore, on an exchange programme with Scottish Ballet.

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Once introductions were made, everybody split into groups to either take a tour of the Sanctuary Gardens, or make their own delicious shortbread.

Some of our gingko-leaf shortbread - it didn't last long!
Some of our gingko-leaf shortbread – it didn’t last long!

The dancers will be participating in the first ever Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival, taking place at Tramway from Thursday 10th July. It’s all shaping up to be a really exciting event!

Amanda

Some delicious chapattis being prepared
Some delicious stuffed parathas being prepared by our talented local volunteers