The Danger Tree

The Danger Tree, opening in Stockton, August 2018

Are you looking for something different and educational to do this summer holiday? Launching today, Stockton-on-Tees plays host to The Danger Tree, an augmented reality First World War exhibition. 

Artists Scarlett Raven and Marc Marot have produced oil paintings showing fields of flowers, that when viewed with the Blippar app on a smartphone or tablet (tablets will be available to borrow), will be enriched with animation, music, and poetry.

The exhibition takes its name from a landmark near Beaumont Hamel, France, used by the Newfoundland Regiment of the Canadian Army in the run up to the Battle of the Somme. Whilst performing trench raids, a clump of trees, reduced to a lone, leafless tree trunk, about halfway into no-man’s land was used as a reference point. One of the only markers in the area, it was used a gathering point for the men to start their trench raids prior to the battle. It was also about where the wire had been cut for the Newfoundland Regiment to get through and make their attack on 1 July 1916. Unfortunately, the Germans had also located this landmark, and many men were killed in its vicinity. After the war, the Canadian government bought the land and a Newfoundland Memorial Park was created. Whilst the original tree is long gone, a replica stands in the park to honour those who lost their lives there. 

The Danger Tree, Newfoundland Memorial Park, Beaumont Hamel, France (photo public domain)

The Danger Tree exhibition is being held at the Wellington Square shopping centre, with one of the units being made to look like a bombed out art gallery.

This free exhibition has been produced in association with The Royal British Legion, and has already visited Liverpool and Manchester among other locations. 

Free

Unit 24
Wellington Square (near Debenhams)
Stockton-on-Tees

Opening times:
Wednesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm

Please note; during Stockton International Riverside Festival (3-5 August) the exhibition will be open 1pm – 7pm.

From 10-29 September we will be hosting education visits Monday to Thursday, with public visits Friday and Saturday only.