Following the huge success of its inaugural year, the multi-faceted woodland arena is back for 2016, with support from the Arts Council England.
Last year, the Carvetti people, an Iron Age civilisation thought to be lost to the World, were astonishingly found alive. They called the woods at Kendal Calling – ‘Lost Eden’ – their home. To celebrate this momentous anthropological discovery, 25,000 revellers joined them in a joyous riot of light and sound. In 2015 the bizarre imprints of the Carvetti culture were numerous: a van carved with trees, an avenue of sound-emitting streetlamps, a fiery garden and a towering, swirling orb, to name but a few.
The Carvetti have since been growing and flourishing, and this year join forces with the artists, animals and insects of Lost Eden to make the woods even more spectacular. Celebrating art at the core of their principles; they invite you to experience their full 2016 offering of marvels and magic. A gigantic, illuminated spider by The Lantern Company will scare and thrill in equal measure, while arachnophobes may prefer an encounter with the Mechanical Heart of the Forest. This hallmark commission is presented by the acclaimed artist Felicity Jones, who has created incredible sculptures for Glastonbury and Burning Man. Watch out for this ephemeral steel and copper structure, pulsing with smoke and light into the small hours. The Carvetti also invite you to converse with Eden – literally – by picking up a strategically placed phone and speaking with an enormous, projected head. These conversations will be incorporated into a completely unique and unforgettable installation by Howard Ashley Storey. Whether its metaphysics or marmite, don’t be afraid to speak your mind… and hear Eden’s response.
By day, the Carvetti Stage will deliver stimulating talks, music and performance, while John Pearson’s live art will offer an extension of last year’s fantastic illustrations that are not to be missed. Digital piece The Hive will invite you, through virtual reality technology, to explore the Lakes through the eyes of the birds. After dark, Lost Eden will light up with gigantic, glowing insects and fiery spectaculars. After 8pm, curious festivalgoers will be granted access to Lost Eden’s most exclusive corner. There you will find the shimmering and newly launched Lost Disco, a DJ booth inside a giant disco ball, as well as bespoke neon sculptures and fiery spectaculars. Other special features include Brandon Ballengee, who will be bringing his Love Motel for Insects, and Anna Mulhearn’s Cabin – which is built by the winner of the 2015 Shed of the Year on the Channel 4 programme, Amazing Spaces.
When you’ve tired of main arena antics, make sure you step off the beaten track and enter Lost Eden 2016.
Lost Eden Lineup:
New Commissions: Tatterdamelion Grove by Dave Young / Mechanical Heart of the Forest by Felicity Jones / Love Motel for Insects by Brandon Ballengee / The Celestial Sound Cloud by Pif Paf / The Cabin by Anna Mulhearn / Conversing with Eden by Howard Ashley Storey / The Hive in association with Lakes Alive and the Lake District National Parks Authority.
*New for 2016* - The Lost Disco: Kag Katumba, Soul Swing, Act.Natural, Kerouac, Symetrik, TwoGood, Olsen, Kahwe, House of Wax, Carl Tait, Justkeys, Ki Creighton, Matt Robinson, Mike Barty
The Carvetti Stage: Post War Glamour Girls, Barry Hyde, The Hey Down Treaders, MYE MI, Tom Peel, Rory Connor, LIVI, Beachmaster, Parade Close, Jake Houlsby, Dansi, Pop-up Puppet Cinema, TwoGood
Spoken Word / Panel Discussions: JB Barrington, Trampolene, Dave Viney Presents, Bang Said The Gun, Louder Than War Q&A.
Performances: Mr Wilsons Second Liners / Kitsche & Sync / The Magic Lantern Company / ‘Ceirw – A Savage Hart’ by Citrus Arts / ‘BEES! The Colony by Artizani /
Published on 25 May 2016 by Ben Robinson
