Reference: HARDCASTLE001
Title: FEN
Date: 2021
Author: Lydia Hardcastle [Artist], Joana Rosell [Performer], Yasmin Estanislao [Hair and Makeup], Saki Uchishiba [Photographer]
Details: Inspired by the growth of cress seeds on cotton, FEN blends nature and costume into a refreshing sensory experience that explores the link between the importance of nature and ones mental health.
Media: Film [1m40s]
Credit: Courtesy of the artist

Description: After my performance of FEN, I took the costume apart and carefully put the moss back into the environment for it to continue growing. Huge links to sustainability and 0 waste. This costume is alive and growing - the timings of creating this piece are important. It has to be made near to the performance date as possible and kept in the right light, temperature, humidity and watered at least three times a day. This is what makes it so special.

During Covid, this growing costume gave me a huge sense of purpose and routine, at a time where I would have fallen into a dark spiral of isolation and demotivation. Through performative costume, FENs key intention was to bring nature into peoples lives in ways they have never experienced before - hopefully brining a positive impact on peoples mental health just like it did mine.

Reference: HARDCASTLE003
Title: FEN [Process]
Date: 2021
Author: Lydia Hardcastle
Details: Inspired by the growth of cress seeds on cotton, FEN blends nature and costume into a refreshing sensory experience that explores the link between the importance of nature and ones mental health.
Media: Photographs
Credit: Courtesy of the artist

Description: Process shots of growing seeds into cotton wool and understanding the unpredictability of nature and its needs.

Reference: HARDCASTLE004
Title: My Three Essential Tools
Date: NA
Author: Lydia Hardcastle
Details: Essential Tools
Media: Tools
Credit: Courtesy of the artist

Description: A wallpaper scraper for foraging and collecting moss, a water sprayer to keep the moss alive to ensure I can put it back in the ground, and a curved needle accompanied with dark green thread. I would also say moss and the natural environment is a tool to my creative practice. I constantly adapt and change ideas due to the unpredictability of its medium. This is what I love most.

Reference: HARDCASTLE002
Title: FEN [Sketches]
Date: 2021
Author: Lydia Hardcastle
Details: Initial ideas for FEN - using soil, grown cress seeds and moss.
Media: Sketch
Credit: Courtesy of the artist

Description: Drawing ideas help me visualise and bring to life what is going on in my head.

Reference: HARDCASTLE005
Title: Bramfield Woods
Date: 2020
Author: Lydia Hardcastle
Details: Bramfield Park Woods, Hertfordshire
Media: Photograph
Credit: Courtesy of the artist

Description: During lockdown, I would walk in Bramfield Woods every day as it made me feel calm and very much at peace. It is about half an hours walk from my house. I one day took my shoes off and walked on the mossy carpet in the woodland. I felt very connected to the environment and suddenly realised how appreciative I was of it.

Reference: HARDCASTLE006
Title: SNAILSHELL
Date: 2021
Author: Lydia Hardcastle
Details: A snail shell found in my garden that inspired my project CAN I GO OUTSIDE YET?
Media: Object
Credit: Courtesy of the artist

Description: I collect lots of interesting textures and objects on my walks. These objects are lined up in my shed (studios) windowsill. I find snail shells particularly beautiful. Not only physically, however the whole concept of a creature carrying their home on their back fascinating.

This inspired my project CAN I GO OUTSIDE YET? An experimental costume piece inspired by the snail shell. Reflecting on my anxieties when going out near people during lockdown and wishing I could carry my ‘safe space’ - my garden - on my back similarly to a snail.