From Urban Wilderness CIC

Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Thursday 14th November 2014: A stunning new public art installation by renowned light sculptor Raphael Daden, titled “Where Are the Birds, Where Are the Trees?”, will be unveiled on Thursday 14th November at 7.00pm in Longton Exchange’s Cultural Quarter. This installation reflects Longton’s commitment to a greener, more sustainable future and showcases the collaborative efforts of the local community, who played a pivotal role in its creation.
Raphael Daden was selected through a community-led process by the Longton Creative Volunteers, a group facilitated by Urban Wilderness. The volunteers reviewed applicants, interviewed a shortlist, and chose Daden for his vision, scale of work, and engaging use of light. Rhys, a member of the group, remarked, “We selected Raphael because we could see that the scale of his work and using light would be beautiful and fun. We also selected him because he broke the making process down into manageable activities so that it was easy even for non-artists like us to get involved.”
The volunteers contributed to the creation of the installation, including colorful leaves made during eight creative sessions. Yvonne, another volunteer, shared, “It’s been brilliant to be involved in this. I live on my own since my son left home and most evenings after work I’m just watching telly and eating chocolate. It’s been so fun to come here, and such a lovely space. I’ll walk past when it’s up and think, I did a bit of that.”
Reflecting on the significance of the community’s involvement, Isla Telford, co-director of Urban Wilderness, stated, “Community involvement is at the heart of what we do. This project is a perfect example of how art can bring people together, allowing them to contribute to something meaningful in their local environment. It’s not just about the end result, but the shared experience of creating something beautiful and impactful.”
This initiative forms part of the Longton Cultural Action Zone (CAZ), supported by Stoke Creates through the CASCADE project. Led by Urban Wilderness, the Longton CAZ emphasizes environmental engagement through creative means, inviting the community to play an active role in creatively shaping a greener future for Longton.
This art installation is part of a large and varied program of work delivered by Urban Wilderness in Longton, who are tenants of Longton Exchange. Chris Ward, the shopping centre manager, says: “The community is key to the future success of any town centre / shopping space, with regular activities, groups and workshops encouraging people to get involved in. Urban Wilderness have been key to all of these further to this creating memorable moments with the carnival, which is the town’s largest event and their involvement in other events throughout the calendar year such as the Christmas Light Switch on. Urban Wilderness are somewhat of an unsung hero in Longton’s revival, I for one am extremely grateful to have them as a partner.”
The public unveiling will feature speeches from artists, local officials, and representatives from Stoke Creates. The event is free and open to all, providing an opportunity to see how community collaboration has shaped this powerful artwork.