It’s a secret garden! – JD, 4
The Collection in Lincoln is currently host to a wonderful installation - Metro-Boulot-Dodo’s ‘Four Seasons’. Here’s the blurb:
“An ambitious, interactive, multi-media installation that reflects the different aspects of the cycle of life. The ‘Four Seasons’ combines interactive technology, sound installations, high quality visual production and the company’s trademark sense of humour.”
An adventure
Passing through a garden gate, we found ourselves in a wonderfully surreal garden full of odd little signs, sounds and a ‘valley of lost dolls’ – neglected toys mingled among the grass. Here started the story of a little girl which continued throughout the installation.
After JD had finished exploring the garden, we passed through a ‘secret passage’ into a dark room covered entirely (even the ceiling) in soft grass-like material and lit with a soft green light. In here, JD sat quietly and listened to the next part of the story before we passed out into the light and an entirely different type of room.
Here a cone of red balls grew from a decadent bed, manuscript climbed the wall above an old piano and a crystal ball advertised by a neon sign drew JD’s attention for some time. The story continued on the walls and was piped through the headphones dotted throughout the rooms.
As we left the installation and headed to the cafe for cake, we were handed a card with a web address and invited to go online to hear the final part of the story – a great way to continue the experience.
Learning about Lincoln’s past
The Collection is a very child-focussed museum dedicated to art and archeology and since it’s conveniently located right in the town centre, we go quite often. As well as the current Metro-Boulot-Dodo exhibition, it boasts a wide range of artefacts from Lincoln’s history that are on display all year round.
JD enjoyed inspecting the knight’s armour, Roman cooking utensils, tools and bones, and spent time playing with the educational activities that bring the exhibits to life; making a mosaic, sorting pottery from bone, and even trying on a replica Roman helmet.
I’d recommend making The Collection a regular destination if you can. And do try to get there before 15 January 2012 to appreciate the amazing ‘Four Seasons’ piece. It’s an experience you won’t forget.
