18 feet tall bee for William's Green

[5co77ie]

Pioneering cleaning brand Ecover has commissioned renowned artist Ptolemy Elrington to design a giant free-standing sculpture for this year's Glastonbury Festival.

A triumph of both design and creativity, the Ecover bee named Bee Clever will use recycled material, including waste plastic fished from the sea, to act as a symbol for Ecover’s "Message in our Bottle” campaign. This campaign saw the brand make a pledge earlier this year to continue to innovate and remain at the cutting edge of sustainability.

At a towering 18 feet tall, Bee Clever is designed to use the power of art to celebrate Ecover’s pledge and inspire new thinking about how to tackle the growing environmental problems we face.

Earlier this year Ecover announced a world first in packaging innovation to tackle the plastic waste plaguing our seas. Ecover already has impressive packaging credentials thanks to the launch of Plant-astic – 100% sugarcane-derived plastic – in 2010, which for the first time completely eliminated the need to use petrol-based plastic. Later this year Ecover will add post-consumer recyclables (PCR) into this plastic mix for its packaging, before heading for an innovation hat-trick by incorporating waste plastic retrieved from the sea into its bottles as part of an initiative with Waste Free Oceans.

Bees play an integral role in our eco-system and are a species at threat from environmental damage.

Ecover was pleased with the result of the recent European Commission vote to ban the usage of pesticides which are harmful to bees*. The brand has a close connection to bees, having been inspired by the processes they use to make honey, to develop their plant-based Eco-Surfactants. These Eco-Surfactants are a key element in making the production of Ecover products lower power and crucially, as a biological process they are more sustainable.

Located at William’s Green, a central meeting point at Glastonbury Festival, Bee Clever is designed to be a fun and inspiring way to engage with Festival-goers using the power of art to influence. It is hoped Bee Clever will raise awareness about the growing environmental issues we all face [globally], and help to influence a change in behaviour.

Ecover’s UK Head of Brand Clare Allman said: ‘Here at Ecover we have the opportunity to provide solutions when it comes to addressing issues surrounding sustainability, and we are constantly ensuring we innovate to meet the changing demands of our world. Glastonbury Festival is a hugely influential event and we’re looking forward to sharing the ‘Message in our Bottle’ through our bee sculpture, Bee Clever.’

Ptolemy Elrington, who designed and created the bee, specialises in using recycled materials to create animal forms for his company Hubcap Creatures, which are designed to raise awareness about ethical issues and the beauty of nature. He comments: ‘Ecover’s commitment to sustainability and their latest plan to incorporate sea plastic in to its packaging is a brilliant example of a brand taking responsibility for the environment and it’s great to be part of it.’

Robert Richards, Commercial Director of the Glastonbury Festival commented 'Glastonbury Festival has worked with Ecover for many years because of our shared values and commitment to sustainability. Having the artist Ptolemy Elrington create something beautiful from recycled materials can be an inspiration to us all'.

Glastonbury Festival goers can check Bee Clever out for themselves at William’s Green. To learn more about the Message in our Bottle campaign visit www.the-splash.co.uk/message-in-our-bottle

[mike99]

Interesting

[Rumblestripe]

Everyone loves bees. FACT

I've never met a bloke called "Ptolemy", ever. Seen one on telly on that program about old buildings. Perhaps I move in more plebeian circles than he?

[beesboy]

Everyone loves bees. FACT

[antbfc]

agreed

Agreed

[Mardy]

Everyone loves bees. FACT

[dj_tim]

[mattw]

Buzzzzzzzzzz off

[mattw]

Buzzzzzzzzzz off

[WooDan]

Agreed

Edited May 22, 2013 by WooDan

[5co77ie]

I'm guessing this is going where the Leftfield sculpture was in Wiliam's Green - surely having 2 18 foot structures is going to look a bit odd

[rexclark]

Not so good if you have a phobia of bees.

[Bobs]

Not so good if you have a phobia of bees.

[rexclark]

You'll just have to Bee extra careful....

[fur_q]

Beehive yourself.

[Brave Sir Robin]

Apparently there will be a secret stage inside of it, hosting intimate performances by the Bee Gees, the B-52s and Sting.

[frostypaw]

Buzzy stripey c**ts

[davidd]

Apparently there will be a secret stage inside of it, hosting intimate performances by the Bee Gees, the B-52s and Sting.

[beesboy]

Championship and you f**ked it up ( love & Kisses a Swindon Fan)

[Mardy]

Hark at you, the voice of the beehive.

[Bathimp]

Where is the honey trap?

[LondonTom]

Unlike others I am not going bee just making a pun to post

I'm guessing this is going where the Leftfield sculpture was in Wiliam's Green - surely having 2 18 foot structures is going to look a bit odd

[whateverman]

corporate sell-out