Used domestic textiles, glow-in-the-dark spray paint, knitted and stitched glow-in-the-dark sculptures, used netting, second hand clothing, glow-in the dark yarn.
The second iteration of Baker & Bliss' immersive and interactive glow-in-the-dark installation, Glowing and Growing, was commissioned for ENLIGHTEN, Accrington from 23 – 26 Oct. 2024. It's a collaboration with Oly Bliss.
This time, the installation was installed site responsively in Market Chambers Activity Space in Accrington Town Square. The space was transformed by Lou Baker and Oly Bliss, reusing the psychedelic, glow-in-the dark textile panels and knitted and stitched sculptures made for Light Night Worcester. Adding another layer of engagement, Lou Baker's new Shapeshifting glowing, wearable sculptures were included. Visitors were invited to become living sculptures by wearing these dynamic, quirky garment-like pieces.
Click to see the full image:
Baker and Bliss were very pleased to work with a local artist, Louise Duxbury, who facilitated workshops locally in the weeks leading up to the event. She worked with local schools and community groups, making small quirky sculptures with used clothing from charity shops and glow-in-the-dark yarn. These were then added to the installation.
In the two days leading up to the Enlighten nights, Lou and Oly also ran workshops in the space so that many more sculptures were added to the netting. The installation really was Glowing and Growing! On the two Enlighten nights, visitors were invited to draw around their hand on a wall of textiles with glow-in-the-dark pens and also to write their thoughts on a label and tie it to the installation. It was a huge success! It was really busy and buzzing with lots of engagement and laughter.
Here's a short interview with Lou inside Glowing and Growing on the first Enlighten night:
Many thanks to the Enlighten team for all their support.
Please click here for full documentation of the first version of Glowing and Growing, in Worcester in February 2024 and lots more images: