In 2024, Imagineer and independent creative director Orit Azaz have continued the bamboo adventure, extending the creative enquiry of Imagine Bamboo is Everywhere across the UK.
The year began with an exciting series of creative workshop days, with interior, design and architecture students and staff at Coventry University.
We continue our collaboration with NoFit State Circus to create BAMBOO, a new outdoor touring circus theatre show, building on the bamboo circus R&D that took place in 2022/3.
BAMBOO is a NoFit State production directed by Mish Weaver, in collaboration with Orit Azaz and Imagineer Productions. It is supported by the Arts Council of Wales, the Foyle Foundation, and Without Walls, and commissioned by Stockton International Riverside Festival, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Hat Fair and Timber Festival.
Nofit State's Community team and the Square Mile Partnership also collaborated with Orit to develop and produce Gŵyl Parc Fest Bamboo - inviting local community groups, artists, partners and residents to devise their own creative experiments with bamboo - and culminating in a festival event in Anderson Fields, Cardiff on 31st August. You can see the event programme here
Communities in Nuneaton and Bedworth joined the adventure, taking part in bamboo-based arts activities as part of the Creative Explorers programme, led by Imagineer and Artichoke with Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. Bamboo creative commissions culminated in an Imagine Bamboo event in Riversely Park, Nuneaton on 14th September.
FInally, Imagineer, Orit, Coventry University and Atelier One co-hosted the 4th UK Bamboo Summit at Coventry University on 20th September at Delia Derbyshire Building, Coventry. This included an exhibition of bamboo artworks and structures created through Imagine Bamboo projects in 2023 and 2024 and performances of BAMBOO circus as part of Imagineer's Streets of Cov outdoor arts programme. This was followed by a 3 day creative workshop introducing new first year students from Architecture, Interior Architecture, Product Design, Automotive & Transport Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design and Fine Art disciplines to what models, designs and prototypes they can create with bamboo.
All strands of the 2024 project focus on bamboo that either does or could grow in the UK and maximise sustainability as much as possible through circular design approaches.