The colourful, magical Levity III Luminarium is on show at Taurus Crafts, Lydney, until Sunday, July 31

A world of colour

Taurus Crafts hosts Luminarium Levity III light and colour sculpture extravaganza

The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire is the next stop for a spectacular international art installation that allows people to disappear into a world of colour.

From the Guggenheim in Spain to the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the enormous, interactive walk-in sculptures have astounded audiences across the globe and now the Luminarium Levity III has arrived at Taurus Crafts near Lydney, for a ten-day showcase starting on July 22.

Likened to walking inside a stained glass window, drawing inspiration from Gothic and Islamic architecture, the Luminarium Levity III is an interactive sculpture that entices visitors to experience the beauty of light and colour inside its 1,000 square metre structure.

Visitors to the Luminarium Levity III will enjoy a unique sensory experience and are encouraged to explore cozy nooks, caverns and domes of colour in shades of blue, red and green as daylight flows through coloured panels.

Luminaria exhibitions have been enjoyed by over two million people in 37 countries across five continents, and this is the first time that the sculpture has visited the South West.

The Luminarium inspires all ages and a visit will mark the start of the British summer holidays. To further celebrate the exhibition’s arrival, artisan businesses based at Taurus Crafts will be joined by local artists, designer-makers and food producers for a programme of activities and workshops to celebrate local talent.

Elizabeth Ball, director of Taurus Crafts says, “When I first visited a Luminarium, I immediately thought how fantastic it would be to see it in a rural location with space, open skies and framed by the green of trees and fields. To host it here in the Forest of Dean will be very exciting.”

Alan Parkinson, artistic director of Architects of Air, creators of the Luminaria, says, “When we were approached by Taurus Crafts, we saw the opportunity to bring one of our modern structures to a rural location where natural drama of the Forest of Dean and the River Severn will enhance the visitor experience.”

Times: The Luminarium Levity III will take place from July 22-31 2011 and is open from 12.30pm to 7.30pm (last admission) from Monday to Friday and 11am-7.30pm (last admission) on Saturday and 11am-5.30pm (last admission) on Sunday.

Costs: �3 per person for. A family ticket (one adult and three children or two adults and two children) costs �10.

Location: Taurus Crafts, The Old Park, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 6BU. Telephone: 01594 844841. Open daily from 10am-7pm (close at 6pm on Sunday).

Architects of the Air

The Architects of Air was established in 1992 to build and tour Luminaria designed by Alan Parkinson. Luminaria are inflatable structures designed to use light and colour to waken and delight the senses. They are made in sections, zipped together and inflated to reveal a labyrinth of tunnels and domes covering 1000sqm.

Alan Parkinson has been experimenting with pneumatic structures since the 1980s. ‘What motivates me to design is that I continue to be struck by the beauty of light and colour found in Luminaria. These structure nuture an awareness of something pure which gently cuts through everyday perceptions and awakens a sense of wonder.’

www.architects-of-air.com

Taurus Crafts

Taurus Crafts first opened its doors in 1995. Taurus Crafts is part of the Camphill Village Trust, a social enterprise and an arts and crafts visitor centre with a strong commitment to showing and supporting the work of local artisans. The arts and crafts centre provides the means to achieve its social objectives of creating opportunity, particularly for people with learning disabilities.

The following artisan businesses are based at Taurus Crafts: Contemporary Textiles, Greenmangatekeeper, Indigo, SoapCense, Balm Jewellery, Picture Framing, Stained Glass, Lily’s, Taurus Chocolate Shop, La Bodega, Galium Garden, Cat’s Eye Carving, Undy Yarns, Garden Retreat (therapy), Kathy Lewis (artist) and the Taurus Crafts Pottery.

More than 40 local craft and food businesses supply and sell through the centre.

www.tauruscrafts.co.uk

DIARY OF EVENTS

Tuesday, July 26, 10am-9pm

Luminarium opens at 12.30pm, last admission 7.30pm

10am-12 noon Felty fun drop-in session with Christine Waygood

2-4pm Garden design Q&A drop-in sessions with Sam of Galium Gardens

3-5pm Art Experience: express the Luminarium influence

4-7pm Green wood-working demonstrations

Evening in the garden: Fresh-cooked wood-fired pizza; Welsh Deli from Native Breeds; Garden Caf� and Bar; Crepes; McCrindles Cider Bar

Wednesday, July 27, 10am-9pm

Luminarium opens at 12.30pm, last admission 7.30pm

2-4pm Garden design Q&A drop-in sessions with Sam of Galium Gardens

3-5pm The Big Weave: make your contribution (attributed) to an exhibit being created during the Luminarium’s stay

4-7pm Green wood-working demonstrations

Evening in the garden: Fresh-cooked wood-fired pizza; Welsh Deli from Native Breeds; Garden Caf� and Bar; Crepes; McCrindles Cider Bar

Thursday, July 28, 10am-9pm

Luminarium opens at 12.30pm, last admission 7.30pm

10am-4pm Beginners’ Feltmaking with Christine Waygood. Booking advisable

2-4pm Garden design Q&A drop-in sessions with Sam of Galium Gardens

3-5pm Art Experience: express the Luminarium influence

4-7pm Green wood-working demonstrations

7pm Fashion in the Forest Show

Evening in the garden: Fresh-cooked wood-fired pizza; Welsh Deli from Native Breeds; Garden Caf� and Bar; Crepes; McCrindles Cider Bar

Friday, July 29, 10am-9pm

Luminarium opens at 12.30pm, last admission 7.30pm

From 10am Miss Fire blacksmith

2-4pm Garden design Q&A drop-in sessions with Sam of Galium Gardens

2-4pm Fabric painting and tie-dye on bandanas and bags with Georgina of Indigo

3-5pm Art Experience: express the Luminarium influence

4pm Hog Roast by Native Breeds

4-7pm Green wood-working demonstrations

5.30-8pm Drop-in beauty treatments: Indian Head Massage; Nail Tasters; Facial Massage

Evening in the garden:

6.30-8.30pm Music from ‘Beyond the Blue’ – atmospheric mix of folk, blues, jazz and rock

7-9pm Jenny Westbrook – art exhibition preview in caf� and conservatory

Fresh-cooked wood-fired pizza; Welsh Deli from Native Breeds; Garden Caf� and Bar; Crepes; McCrindles Cider Bar

Saturday, July 30, 10am-9pm

Luminarium opens at 11am, last admission 7.30pm

From 10am Miss Fire blacksmith

2-4pm Garden design Q&A drop-in sessions with Sam of Galium Gardens

3-5pm Art Experience: express the Luminarium influence

4-7pm Green wood-working demonstrations

Evening in the garden: Fresh-cooked wood-fired pizza; Welsh Deli from Native Breeds; Garden Caf� and Bar; Crepes; McCrindles Cider Bar

Sunday, July 31, 10am-6pm

Luminarium opens at 11am, last admission 5.30pm

From 10am The Big Weave – make your contribution (attributed) to an exhibit being created during the Luminarium’s stay

From 10am Miss Fire blacksmith

2-4pm Garden design Q&A drop-in sessions with Sam of Galium Gardens

3-6pm Green wood-working demonstrations

Afternoon in the garden: Fresh-cooked wood-fired pizza; Welsh Deli from Native Breeds; Garden Caf� and Bar; Crepes