ROUTES: Creative Nature Connections

ROUTES was a year-long collaborative nature-based creative project that I produced. It brought together Double Elephant Print Workshop , East Devon AONB (now National Landscape) and a range of artists and printmakers. The programme explored creatives ways of connecting with nature including printmaking, mapping and literary sound walks.

With school groups from Tipton, Newton Poppleford and Sidmouth, we walked and created linear maps, tried forest bathing, printed with natural materials we found on our walks and devised prompts to leave in the public Creature Nature Boxes in Harpford Woods.

Pebbled Heights, Mossy Depths

As part of the project, artist and writer Ellen Wiles was commissioned to create a literary soundwalk. Listeners can connect with the East Devon landscape, wherever they are.

Reflecting the experience of being on a long walk – sparking memories, thoughts and sensations – this literary soundwalk loosely follows part of the East Devon Way, and moves through a rich variety of landscapes; exploring the nature, landscape, wildlife, and layers of history that make this place unique.

Visit www.ellenwiles.com for listening tips and bonus tracks. You can also download the soundwalk in individual sections.

2021

photo credits: Simon Tutty