» Review: Brighton Festival – Jardin Flambeau
Expensive and highly trumpeted outdoor installations can so often disappoint, particularly when involving large crowds trying to understand the visuals and language behind the concept. Not so this extraordinary installation by French outdoor alchemists Compagnie Caraboose, which utilised every nook and cranny of St. Anne’s Well Gardens, including the pond and the scented garden.
Transforming this already gorgeous inner-city oasis with fire sculptures, candles, moving metalworks (including lots of swings!), and the odd live performance, the space was meticulously and magically altered, transfixing the huge audiences who for the most part couldn’t believe their eyes.
On the surface, The strangely subdued health and safety aspect was a surprise, but acted as a strong reminder that yes, we know fire is hot and dangerous – so, don’t treat us like idiots! But what the largely fire-based installation was ultimately trying to say, is of course open to interpretation; but like the best abstracts it invited everyone to partake and enjoy it in any way they wished, almost invariably positively. This event will live long in the memory…
7-8 May, St. Anne’s Well Garden’s
Rating: 
Jeff Hemmings
