Welcome to our new installation Flint

From Monday 27th March the installation will be illuminated from sunset to 1am daily.

Flint by toyStudio, is the first of the installations to be revealed on the Norfolk Way Art Trail. An exciting new art trail for the public spanning 250 miles across Norfolk, England. The Trail features multi-sensory, accessible public artworks that will engage local communities, reveal hidden stories, and inspire visitors to explore the county. Norfolk County Council’s EXPERIENCE project has commissioned the trail, which sees five site-specific artworks installed in locations across Norfolk including Diss Mere, Honing Station, Reedham Ferry Inn, with support from Norwich Business Improvement District for two Norwich installations.

A creative light installation, Flint is inspired by the rich history of Norwich’s beautiful buildings, medieval streets, and vibrant culture. It responds directly to the unique character of the site – a medieval church, whilst simultaneously referencing elements which speak to the local history and heritage of the wider area. Formed of a collection of mirrored totems by day, as the sun sets the colours from the low energy pixel tubes within the installation, magnify shapes created by local community groups in a moving sequence of colourful lights.

The totems have been placed around the grounds of Norwich Arts Centre, positioned in relation to the multiple churches and other places of historical significance that contextualise Norwich.

The shapes are inspired by the organic composition of the flint walls, which not only form the Church of St Swithin, but are an inescapable and indelible part of the history and landscape of Norfolk. The stained-glass designs on each totem have been created from the collective work from community groups: Common Ground, Young Norfolk Arts and New Routes. The inspiration for the mark-making was from the group’s observations of: The Guildhall, St Augustine’s Street and St Peter Mancroft, and these observations form part of the history of this permanent installation.

The motifs were captured on paper, and under the artistic curation of local coordinator Ellen Harling, the shapes were replicated to use on the installations.

Toby Plunkett, creator and architect said: “The installation has exceeded my expectations, and the contemporary structures complement the traditional flint work, whilst the lights and mirrors reflect the ever-changing environment around them.”

Toby founder of toyStudio has previously designed work that has been installed in Canary Wharf, Sloane Square London and Arizona, USA.

Stefan Gurney, Executive Director, Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) said: “We are excited to support Norfolk County Council in bringing ‘Flint’ to this beautiful area of the city. We hope that businesses, residents, and tourists will enjoy visiting St Benedict’s Street in the Norwich Lanes to view this incredible new outdoor artwork, which will soon form part of the wider Norfolk trail.”

The Trail will provide fantastic opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to explore nature, art and culture across the county, whilst also supporting sustainable rural tourism.

The piece will illuminate this magnificent historical building and its grounds but with the clever use of mirrors, it will enhance the architectural features in the area, reflecting the light, and allow the public to interact with the ever-changing effects.

Sandra Martins, Operations Manager of The Norwich Historic Churches Trust said: “The installation of ‘Flint’ at St Swithin’s Church invites us to rethink a material that defined the medieval landscape of the city, and its importance today. How the artwork will interact with its setting, often a contentious space, helps us see a churchyard as a beautiful location for enjoyment and contemplation. The Norwich Historic Churches Trust looks forward to seeing it in situ.”