Labyrinth Experience

Labyrinths can offer a useful metaphor for our life and soul’s ever-evolving journey.

In Spring of 2005 an artist, a Unitarian and a Co-worker from Pennine Camphill Community met together and, through a maze of creative ideas, visions emerged.  Circles were drawn in sand, spirals carved in wood and clay, and visits organised to obscure and sacred sites.  The Labyrinth Experience took its first breath.

Funding 

We were so enthused by the support and interest of all those who became involved that we applied for an ‘Awards for All’ grant to expand the project and increase its potential.  Imagine our excitement and surprise when we were awarded £5000 to develop our ideas, received a further £1000 from Wakefield Metropolitan District Council (WMDC) Education and Cultural Services to support voluntary artists.

The Project 

The resulting year-long arts project involved professional artists, Community members and interested members of the public.

Most of the work produced was made from organic materials.  Such work appears, then disappears — it dissolves, rots, is splattered by the rain, blown by the wind, or eaten by squirrels, mice or the cows. Just as we move, flow and change with the seasons within the constant cycle of life.  So the themes of cycles, circles, life, letting go, death, renewal and resurrection were an integral part of this project.

From the circle of ashes remaining after the Midsummer Bonfire a simple labyrinth was created.  This fire was lit on St John’s Day as part of the yearly cycle of festivals celebrated by the Community; they provide markers of the passing year.

In July a weekend event gave members of the public and the Community an opportunity to walk a 30-foot canvas replica of the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth.  This was facilitated by Danielle Wilson, a Veriditas-trained Labyrinth Facilitator, and held alongside other creative activities.  People from all over the country came to join us in walking the candle-lit circle, along the pathway to the centre, a place of meditation and prayer; then from the stillness, outwards to reflect upon life’s journey.

In October we held a Land Art Day, creating environmental art from the wealth of natural materials available in the Autumn. Working on the land and under our favourite trees, we created leaf curtains and pathways, conker spirals, a bulb spiral (which flowered under the cherry tree in Spring) and sculptures.

The bonfire on 5th November was lit over the place of the first ash labyrinth, and since then a series of mandalas has been made using the different coloured ashes, burnt soils, and remnants from the fire.

There were many more ideas than time, reality and resources allowed, but we held a Creative Writing and Prayer Cycle Day in March, and a Land Art Day at the seaside during the summer months.

We invited Danielle back for a Labyrinth Day on 3 June so that we could end the year as we started it, by walking (or dancing) the Labyrinth, this time alongside a display of photographs and original artwork inspired by the Project.

Acknowledgements

With special thanks to ‘Awards for All’, WMDC and all the supporters who gave generously of their time and enthusiasm, especially Linda King (then our Artist in Residence), Ian Smith and David Wilkinson (supporting artists), Danielle Wilson (Labyrinth Facilitator), Mel Prideaux and her family, Jaynie for her singing, and Steve and Janet and the other Co-workers who make the whole thing spin.