INTERNATIONALLY renowned artist Kathy Hinde’s new project, Luminous Birds, wings its way to Tintern Old Station as part of this year’s Wye Valley River Festival, which runs from 29th April to 15th May.

Luminous Birds recreates one of nature’s most amazing phenomena, the ultimate act of co-operation: birds flocking together as they fly. The spectacular installation opens at Tintern Old Station on 6th May and continues until 15th May. As night falls during the festival, hundreds of origami-style birds will come alive with synchronised lighting sequences creating the effect of birds in flight. The project was first commissioned by Kidderminster Arts Festival 2015 in partnership with Cryptic.

The festival team is now inviting people living along the valley to get involved in another avian experience by helping to make origami paper birds which will create Kathy’s second sculptural video installation, One Thousand Birds.

This will be accompanied by immersive sound composed by Matthew Fairclough and will be staged at Tintern Old Station at the same time as Luminous Birds. Free, drop-in origami workshops will be held in the foyer of The Shire Hall, Monmouth on 4th and 5th April, from 11am to 3pm each day. People can also make the birds and send them to the festival organisers.  

Kathy said: “One Thousand Birds brings people together through the collective act of making origami birds, based on the crane, using the traditional Japanese art form of folding paper.

“An ancient Japanese legend states that anyone folding 1,000 cranes is rewarded with a wish. On World Peace day, people from all over the world make and send origami birds to Japan as a wish for world peace.”

Once you’ve made your birds, post them or take them to one of the drop-off points or, if you’re making lots of birds, the team may be able to organise collection from you. Drop off points are The Shire Hall, Monmouth; Chepstow Library, Manor Way, Chepstow; and Wye Valley AONB Office, Hadnock Road, Monmouth.