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Trails
Find The Elephants Hidden Among Norwich's Heritage
By Katie Brinkley
03/07/2008
Image: Photograph of fibreglass elephants outside a church
Go Elephants And Then Go And See What Else Norwich Has To Offer. Courtesy FORUM
In the largest public art event Norwich has ever hosted, normally empty spaces inside and around buildings all over the city centre will become home to 53 life-size baby elephants. Smaller elephants can be found at the Mall as well as on a Where’s Elly? trail due to begin in the summer holidays.
Once you have picked up your map from one of the participating venues or from the train station or the Forum, just pick a place to start. There’s too much to see all in one day. It’s all worth seeing however, so choose a section of the map, or as we have in our trail, select a spread of locations and soak up some of the surrounding heritage on your way around.
Image: Photograph of decorated fibreglass elephant
Norwich 12's Ellie Vispim by Amy Dibben. Courtesy FORUM
Our trail begins at the strikingly grand St John’s Roman Catholic Cathedral. Free to walk around, the Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Victorian gothic architecture in England. Here we meet elephant Ellie Vispim
Sponsored by Norwich 12, Ellie Vispim is designed by local artist Amy Dibben, who uses the innovative medium of elephant sculpture to encourage people to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor.
Image: Photograph of decorated fibreglass elephant
Meiluami packed her trunk and came from Kenya to Norwich. Courtesy FORUM
Meiluami is perhaps the most impressive of all Norwich’s new visitors. Having come all the way from Kenya, Meiluami can be seen at the Anglican Cathedral and will act as ambassador for the charity Born Free. Since 1979 the elephant population in Africa has halved; now Born Free works to protect elephants from being poached and culled.
Designed by children at the Oli Motti School in Kenya, Meiluami represents Maasai culture. Excited children, many of whom had never used a paintbrush before, chose the elephants name, meaning ‘always alert,’ and then painted on the spectacular design.
Image: Photograph of a fibreglass elephant painted with a brick pattern
How many elephants can you find? Can you see Camouflagephant? Courtesy FORUM
Having absorbed all this art and culture, make your way back towards the city centre, passing through Chapplefield Plain. Here lies Sernia, designed by South Norfolk Action Team and sponsored by South Norfolk Council. Sernia is a particularly striking elephant painted patchwork quilt-style, with an eclectic mix of colours, images and themes.
Next, walk across the heart of the city centre and down King Street where Camouflagephant waits in St Julian’s Alley. Just as grey camouflages elephants in the wild, this elephant’s brick exterior camouflages her in the city environment. While you are there, stop off at St Julian’s Church and Centre. Step back to 14th century Norwich, where famous visionary Julian was the first woman ever to write a book in English.
Image: Photograph of two elephants outside a church
Elephants enjoy heritage too by two. Courtesy FORUM
Finally, cut back down Rouen Road and arrive at Cattlemarket Street. On level two in the Castle Mall, you will find a whole new species of elephants – the Primary Pachyderms. Hundreds of children from various Norfolk primary schools have been working on elephant projects aimed to help them learn about conservation and citizenship.
After you have viewed this colourful array of miniature elephants, there is much more to see in the Castle Mall area. Just a few steps away stands the magnificent Norman Castle with its equally impressive grounds. A few minutes walk from the Castle lies the Guildhall, Millennium Forum, several medieval churches and of course the shops!
There’s something for everyone on Norwich’s new and exclusive Go Elephants trail; follow our trail, find your own on the map, or just wander through the city centre to see how many elephants you can spot and how much heritage there is to take in.
For further information please see:
www.goelephants.co.uk
Or www.norwich12.co.uk
Katie Brinkley is the 24 Hour Museum/Norwich HEART Student Writer in Norwich. Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) is the groundbreaking initiative to regenerate, manage and promote one of the most remarkable heritage resources in the UK and in Europe.
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