Polinations
Polinations
Step into a spectacular city-centre garden of magical proportions where you will be welcomed by an epic array of colour and nature.
Giant architectural trees and thousands of plants have transformed Victoria Square into an urban oasis, hosting free events, workshops and performances including live music, dance, spoken word and drag.
This supernatural wonderland uncovers the origin stories of the plants we know so well – daisies, pansies, apple trees, roses – in fact these, and most of the plants we see in our gardens are not from the UK. They tell the story of journeys, movement, dispersal, and new roots.
PoliNations is a celebration of colour, beauty, and of natural diversity. Explore, enjoy and be your true unique self. You can experience music from around the world, an incredible light show each evening, and a grand finale like no other where the tree’s canopies will burst into a joyful cloud of confetti and colour.
This is Carnival and Holi combined in one brilliant, messy, playful party and everyone is invited.
SUNSET SHIFT
Every day at dusk, our super garden will undergo a beautiful transition into night. Enjoy a mesmerising light show, designed by Matt Daw; nature-inspired soundscapes and ethereal performances, taking a moment to pause and reflect before moving into the evening's activities.
The soundscapes centre around the ancient ritual musical instrument, the Bullroarer, and are developed and recorded by brass and percussion players from BCU’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University in collaboration with an original piece by Composer and Co-creator Max Perryment alongside Olivier Award winning and PoliNations' Sound Designer Tom Gibbons.
From Thursday 15 September, led by Symoné, a talented cast of walkabout performers in gorgeous, bespoke, plant inspired costume will join together in Euphorica - a mesmerising performance of movement and dance.
Max wrote the music for the nightly Sunset shift sound and light show and performed it live with Brass players from the Birmingham Conservatoire.
creatives
Angie Bual - Creative Director
Carl Robertshaw - Design Director
THISS Studio - Architectural and Spatial Designers
Bronia Housman - Production Design
Chris and Toby Marchant - Horticultural Designers
Clary Salandy - Costume Designer
Joey A Frenette, aka Bourgeoisie - Costume Designer
Matt Daw - Lighting Designer
Max Perryment - Composer
Tom Gibbons - Sound Designer
Yshee Black - Associate Artist