Artwork unveiled next to Cerne Giant for landscape project

The colourful artwork, which has been placed temporarily next to the Cerne Giant, was created as part of national landscape project Nature Calling and followed workshops with the community with residents contributing different parts.

A film is being made about its unveiling using drone footage before the work goes on tour to Yeovil and Corfe Castle as part of the Inside Out international outdoor arts festival.

(Image: David Levene) It will be unveiled at magical all-day gatherings with a soundtrack by Dorset-born musician Douglas Dare, a poem by Dorset National Landscape writer Louisa Adjoa Parker, and readings by local people.

The 30m-40m figure is known as the Consequences Giant, named after the storytelling game Consequences. It has appeared on the hillside next to the Giant, an ancient chalk figure.

It came about as Radical Ritual Artistic Director Becca Gill and team worked with the local community to ‘create a monumental new mythical creature for the Dorset National Landscape’. Multiple participants contributed to the single artwork without seeing the previous contributions.

(Image: David Levene) Becca Gill said: “This game of Consequences has led to questions such as: Who owns the land? Who gets to shape its stories? Can we create new myths that empower rather than exclude?”

To create the project, a series of accessible and fun workshops explored collective storytelling and mythological creatures, with talks and discussions about beastly lore and folk tales, particularly those from Dorset.

(Image: David Levene) Becca Gill added: “I feel that we’ve lost track of our myths and the stories that connect us to the landscape and geography around us and how to live in a connected way with nature. The concept for this work is built on accessibility, collective authorship, and environmental consciousness.”

Nature Calling is a new landmark arts project encouraging new audiences to better understand and connect with their local natural landscapes, improving wellbeing and inspiring a sense of belonging. Six of England’s National Landscapes have commissioned art projects and writers.

‘Consequences’ is a Radical Ritual Production, commissioned and produced by Dorset National Landscape for Nature Calling with executive producers the National Landscapes Association and Activate Performing Arts. It is supported by Arts Council England, DEFRA and Imaginators.

The artwork will be unveiled on September 13-14 in Yeovil and on September 20-21 at Corfe Castle at the Inside Out Dorset festival. A film by David Levene will be shared online.

To find out more visit dorset-nl.org.uk/project/nature-calling