The Message by Eloise Fornieles culminated on the evening of Saturday 7th April at Edible Eastside when the crate containing dozens of visitors messages, was burnt . This event also marked the end of our first week open to the public, where we welcomed hundreds of visitors, signed up new members to our food growing scheme and fed many hungry mouths!

Eloise started her durational performance on Sunday 1st April (presented as part of the Fierce festival) and she continued walking around the mound of chalk, circling the crate each day for five hours, in an incredible act of dedication. It seemed entirely appropriate that the fire took hold very slowly, smouldering for what seemed like ages, as a small orange glow in the base of the box.

Eventually it overwhelmed the strong wooden crate, which then went up rapidly and dramatically to reveal a mythical sculpture with wings on its head. This image of a human body, consumed in flames, was a powerfully symbolic end to the work, particularly at Easter time. Witnessing the poetry of everybody’s messages being released into the night and a still figure left standing in the embers, were the rewards for those who waited. An incredible start to many more adventures and cultural experiences at Edible Eastside.