AND… BREATHE
And… Breathe is our 2025 sound and light installation exploring breath and breathing together – mixing timber, sound, light, science and the raw joy of playing together. It is a tactile piece – audiences use their bodies to conduct local sound and light within a sculpture wide composition – encouraging play and an energising calm. It is an artwork and a pavilion – a meeting place and a place of reflection. The robust structure includes seating and audience can hold and feel the materials.
And…Breathe grows from co-AD Eleanor Hooper’s musical and breath work practice as a performer and leading communities and Peter Gunson’s passion for ambitious architectural timber structures. This is all brought to life with the help of our brilliant Tech collaborator Jonathan Richards.
And… Breathe mixes and develops successes from our previous installations with an uncompromising drive for inspiring sustainability – and glorious play. The structure is finished in sustainable Linseed Oil and the patina of the Ash timber will develop through time and use – like a beautiful living being.
Breath : Breath is a powerful tool for us all to find security and calm both in the moment and in our lives. We can lead 10 minute breathing meditations in the structure – with the extra sculptural seating we tour with – which have proved popular across the generations
Materials are mainly locally sourced ash – felled due to a highways order – that we have accompanied from tree to sculpture with our friends at Anderson TreeCare. The build was with the support of Annie Nelson and Roscoe Blevins.
The structure is 8m x 8m hexagon, 4m high. Install needs flat ground with a max 1 in 30 slope. it can be installed in 7 hours by two of our team and two local crew on any appropriate surface – indoors and outdoors and is weather proof. We install a system of powered speakers around the sculpture and need 1 x 16 amp power supply. De-rig is 3 hours with two local crew.
Access and welcome: The sculpture sound level is set at calming but immersive – we have full control of the volume on site for quiet showings. We normally have one wheelchair space in the inner circle and have 4 sculptural benches around the sculpture for comfort. The sound itself vibrates through elements of the structure and we are happy to lead touch tours – or let folk lead their own exploration. Wheelchair users may find a better experience if they approach the interactive elements from the side ie arrive side on rather than face to face. We encourage any feedback to make the installation more accessible and welcoming.
Development of And…Breathe was supported by Level Centre and Arts Council England Lottery Funding. R&D showings were supported by Rotherham Borough Council and Barnsley Events Team. It premiered at Oldham Illuminate in Feb 2025