In June this year Jessica was commissioned by Wild Rumpus to create nine sets of ‘Ear Trumpets’, (27 altogether), as part of project called Pavilions of Play for the National Trust.
The Pavilions of Play were installed at nine different National Trust properties all around the country.
At each site, alongside three ear trumpets of varying sizes, was a giant periscope and three lookout viewing boxes. The project invited families to look, listen and to connect with nature in completely new ways.
The ear trumpets had tubes attached which wound around each structure and beyond, so that people could listen to the sound of the wind blowing through leaves, the rippling of water on nearby ponds, and the birds chirping in the distance.
The trumpet listening devices were made from thin sheet steel, cut into petal shapes, welded together and finished in clear lacquer. The rims were edged in scrap ply pieces which were rivetted on, and ducting tubes were attached to listen through too.
The Pavilions of Play were found at Attingham Park, Calke Abbey, Clumber Park, Gibside, Knightshayes, Nymans, Quarry Bank, Stourhead, and Wimpole Estate this summer.