New Spalding arts project could be first step towards virtual Flower Parade
An exciting new arts project could be the first step to a digital version of Spalding’s famous Flower Parade.
The Chain Bridge Forge has teamed up with artist Lee Mason to create digital features which can be viewed at a number of sites in Spalding from next week.
Director Geoff Taylor is hoping that this project will lead the way towards a digital tulip parade but is also hoping to collect memories of the annual event.
Earlier this year, the forge received £4,000 to undertake projects at the High Street museum, including the augmented reality scheme.
Mr Taylor said: “While we could never run the Flower Parade again as it is too expensive to do, we could create a digital version.
“This project is a stepping stone to enable us to do that. “
People will be able to view the digital art installations
by visiting sites across the town.
The Chain Bridge Forge, Flowers N Things in Red Lion Street, Molsoms Opticians in Hall Place have agreed to support the project by hosting the digital installation.
Thanks to the work of Mr Mason, people who download the Arize app will be able to view the art project through their mobile phones.
An interesting dragon is the feature which can be found at the forge by people who go on the trail.
Mr Taylor said: “If they download the app and put their phone up to see the feature they see a 3D image.
“It will also surround them. You can explore it by looking through your phone.”
It is hoped that this project will prove successful to allow the forge to move onto its plans for the digtial reimagining of the flower parade, which ended in 2013.
Another important aspect of the parade project would be to gather people’s memories of the event.
Mr Taylor said: “If we don’t start to collect people’s memories now then we will lose them.
“We want to collect people’s memories of what they thought about the event and how they got involved with it.
“We would like to create a digital memory of the flower parade.”
Jane Fletcher, who is a partner at Flowers n Things, is hoping that this unusual project will help to attract more people to the town.
She said: “They approached us to take part and I thought that it was a really exciting prospect. We are hoping that it will encourage people to look into shop windows.
“I hope that this will be a draw for the town as it is quite unusual and create some publicity.
“We are local and keen to support other local businesses and organisations.”
