FAMILIES gathered in Miners Welfare Park, Bedworth last weekend to bid farewell to the Babylon Gamelan.
The four meter high mechanical sound machine was produced by Artichoke as part of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s creative explorers programme.
The exhibition of sound, sculptures and interactive installations was inspired and made by the local community.
Babylon Gamelan was dedicated to the memory of George Kessler CBE, who was a particular fan of all things technical.
As dusk fell on Saturday night, the finale finished the three days which saw 1,500 people take part.
An art train, interactive sculptures and a sound machine made up Babylon Gamelan which used scrap metals, materials and recycled objects – representing the areas industrial past.
Local artists Julia Snowdin and Spencer Jenkins, worked with 350 people from the community to make the trail and sculpture.
The machine was built by Dave Young, with makers Ian Broscombe, Nick Sparks, Jane Gaffikin and Bill Wright closed the event with Heavy Beat Brass Band.
Helen Marriage, CEO of Artichoke said: “The response to Babylon Gamelan has been wonderfully enthusiastic and it’s clear that there is a real appetite here for art, which we know really makes people happy.
“It is a pilot project as part of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s Creative Explorers programme, funded by Arts Council England and it’s been a great way to test for some kind of regular future event in Nuneaton and Bedworth that also considers the local heritage of the area.
“Thank you to everyone who took part and to our funders and sponsors who helped make it happen.”
Beth King, head of learning and participation for Artichoke added around 350 people aged between five and 90 took part, through workshops in schools, libraries and local groups.
As most materials were recycled, they are being donated back to schools that took part and wooden structures are being donated to charity.
Babylon Gamelan was supported by Arts Council England, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council, National Lottery Community Fund, The Alan Edward Higgs Charity, Everyone Active, Nuneaton Signs, MPL Fabrications and Philip Bates Trust.
