Butterfly Pavilion, MGM Grand.

Just after Christmas this year I received a brief to design and build a willow vine for the interior of a Butterfly Pavilion in Macau, China!
The pavilion is based on R. Buckminster Fuller's fly eye dome patented in 1965 and re-invented for the MGM Grand Hotel.
My Vine was to become part of the habitat, together with nectar rich planting into which the butterfly's could reside.

We set about building in late February, working around the clock to have it completed and shipped by late march.
Andy ArtFabs and I travelled out to Hong Kong and took a boat across to Macau in late April, to unload and assemble the vine.

The time-scale onsite was equally challenging for all, however we were met by the original crew from the Bellagio installation which made the somewhat daunting experience of making the impossible ...Possible.

So with Andy fuelled on lattes and fancy buns we set about our part of the installation. Piece by piece the vine grew and by the 23rd hour and several buns later, we were done!

Once again a tight team of special folk played their part in the creation of these works, Big Thanks to you all.

Here are some images of the vines during installation, then finally a short video of the opening ceremony... I think my invite must have been lost in the post...

Chrysalis getting ready to hatch:

Andy aids the release of the butterflies:

The Vegas Willow Fantasy Trees

In July 2010 I was asked to Supersize a tree that I had designed for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and then times it by three! With each one stood at 25ft tall this was no mean task And they had to be shipped 5224 miles to Las Vegas!

Rising to the occasion and putting in some monumental long hours with a tight deadline were a large crew of colourful creatives, (you know who you are), Team ArtFabs and Hare's 'weaverbirds'. Humble respect and thanks to you all.

Now, I'm not one for glitz and glamour, but installing the trees with Andy ArtFabs and the installation professionals at the Bellagio was an incredible experience. Hard work, without much sleep, no casinos and not much else seen, but still incredible, thanks to all those involved at the Vegas end.


And here was the very large shiny result during their first installation ready for the autumn display, within the Bellagio Conservatory, Las Vegas September 2010.

Right, where to next...?

Willow Fantasy trees during production in the UK:

One last brew.

One last brew as we eagerly await my father-in-law with his machine to load the new works for The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2010.

Next to the iPhone, the 'Kelly kettle' or storm kettle pictured below, has been a tool that fits directly into my life and has become a reliable friend... and of course, if I had to choose between the two?? Kelly kettle would win! Where would we be without a brew?!
A chance to stand back and reflect on where we have been and where we are going, whilst keeping us warm and quenching a thirst.
The Kettle is powered by fire, so also soothes my pyro-tendencies in a controlled environment.
If you haven't seen one it's a device of two halves, the bottom pan contains a small fire, - dried leaves and Willow offcuts are perfect! - and the top section is basically a double skinned chimney/flask that holds the water, the heat passes through the chimney boiling the water in anything from two to five minutes depending on how dry your kindling is.
Such a charming creation compact ,robust and works in all weathers . Don't leave your cork in though while brewing unless you have a soap on a string handy!

We're loaded, strapped down and ready to go.

A 4am start and arriving at the showground at 7.30.
Here are the components being lifted into place, directed by Pete Loramer who personally worked on the steel frame for this giant sculpture.

Another piece being lifted into place guided by Andrew Langley MD of Artfabs and Pete who I have strategically shot here behind the sculpture so as not to distract from it's beauty - they're not looking their best at this time of the morning!

Here it is, The RHS Tree of knowledge, designed for the Royal Horticultural Society's first ever garden which sits within the continuous learning area in the Grand Pavilion .
The tree ties in with the year of biodiversity and we have invited members and celebrities to share their words of wisdom/messages that encourage life in the garden. All of which are to be written on leaves and attached to the tree... Still there's a lot to do before then!
Jeremy Irons, Chris Beardshaw, Sarah Greene, Julian Fellowes and David Bellamy are amongst the contributors.

At this point I had been onsite weaving for two days and true to his word as always Leigh arrived with our bench and it's two makers.. Sue Tranter and Gary Ramsden, both of which are students at Warwickshire college studying furniture making.
They both embraced my design and the opportunity to create a piece for the show and to put the final piece towards their end of year project. Problem solving, decision making, and communicating throughout resulted in a final curved bench that is absolutely Gorgeous!

Piecing it together...

and it's comfy too!

I also enlisted the help of my friend Steve who has been the plants man for all of the BBC Gardeners World Live features that I've been involved with.
He's on the Kew diploma now. Chrissie offered her help too, which was quite a relief to have them there and great to watch them reacting to the sculpture with confidence .