Urban picnic: a practice-based investigation into locality, craft, urbanisation and fun

‘The Vauxhall Collective’ is a annual bursary scheme and one I was lucky enough to win with an idea centered around ‘The Great British Weekend.’ I set about designing a body of playful objects for a series of ‘Urban Picnics’ which popped up in mystery locations in East London, city tarmac and concrete were temporarily transformed into grassy spaces inviting Londoners to meet, mix and consume their picnic under the summer sun. Picnickers entered an interactive and fantastical space featuring traditional weekend fare with a contemporary craft twist. From bat and ball, hula hoops and egg and spoon races, to logs and benches to sit on, the creations intend to bring jaded city dwellers back to their childhood memories of the quintessential British weekend. ‘The East London area was once home to hundreds of traditional furniture manufacturers, so it’s the perfect location for the project. The objects within their locations refer to this lost industry and claim back pieces of land for relaxation, fun and play.