Ham House and Garden, Richmond Upon Thames, London
Garden of Reason was one of the first Trust New Art projects, and the most ambitious to date.
Garden of Reason was designed to attract a younger culturally aware visitor and deepen the existing visitor experience whilst connecting with groups in the community. Seventeen contemporary artists took part with eight major commissions in the garden including Daphne Wright, Alan Kane,Ruth Proctor, Graeme Millar and Tom Dale were invited to make new work in response to the garden and historic context.
A supporting programme of live art and curatorial tours and talks took place over the weekends during the five month exhibition.
The interaction programme funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund was designed to further visitors’ understandings through sustained engagement of four community groups, who participated with artists and historians to make new works for visitors. These included an animated film, a book work, a film made by young people and a late event curated by the Young Curators Group.
The programme included recruiting 70 new volunteers and a contemporary art training programme. Garden of Reason was funded by Arts Council England; Heritage Lottery Fund; Royal Borough of Richmond and the National Trust.