A public art trail including a tree that uses AI to answer people's questions will to celebrate the history of a housing estate.
The ‘Story Trail’ will celebrate the people and places of the 1950s Regent’s Park Estate through 11 works of art.
The project has been commissioned by the Old Diorama Arts Centre in Drummond Street after years of development.
The trail is planned to start in Stanhope Street, where a map will encourage visitors to find the different artworks.
The second stop on the route is Regent’s Place, Drummond Street, where a teleidoscope and kaleidoscope sculpture created by artist Alisa Ruzavina will be placed.
A similar sculpture by the artist will also be created in Cumberland Market.
A light projection will next feature on flats in Munster Square and Laxton Place. The hope is that the shadows of those walking past will become part of the art.
Three chewing gum sculptures would also feature in Munster Square as part of a separate piece.
These will be created by members of the local LGBTQ+ community in celebration of the secret Queer bar that was housed nearby in the basement Crypt of the Church of St Mary Magdalene in the 1960s.
A pink light would also shine from a drain on the pavement outside the church on evenings in October through to December, for one week each month.
Nearby, the fifth artwork of the trail will feature pictures of Regent’s Park Estate residents captured by photographer Brendan Barry.
The Pangboune Meadow area, once a site of anti-social behaviour on the estate, will be the home of a new mural featuring bright colours and symbols of local wildlife.
AI tree root sculptures will next be placed near a tree in Clarence Gardens.
These undulating sculptures will look like the tree’s roots are pushing up through the ground.
When visitors approach the tree, they can ask a question and the AI will respond.
As darkness falls, the soft ambient light embedded in each structure will light up, creating subtle ‘breathing’ patterns of light, while the tree’s “roots” will gently whisper and mumble.
In Compton Close Plaza, LED signs will display collected statements from the surrounding community.
A “miniature BT Tower” sculpture displaying these statements is also planned, subject to funding.
A ceramic artwork made to resemble a bookcase will be mounted onto the wall of the former library, and current Citizens Advice Bureau, in Compton Close.
Across the estate, 15 specifically designed road signs will be placed at different locations, celebrating some of the recently lost green spaces, pubs and homes in the area.
The final installation will see five customised steel manhole covers featuring engraved messages on the theme of women’s empowerment placed in Everton Mews.
It is not known when the trail will be finalised, and it is currently the subject of a planning application submitted to Camden Council.
Full details of the proposals can be found on the planning portal under reference 2024/2978/P.
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