Every September, Fortnum’s participates in the London Design Festival by showcasing works of art in the Piccadilly store.
This year we have an installation called Mellifera: The Dancing Bees.
The vision of French architect Arthur Mamou-Mani, Mellifera: The Dancing Bees is a breathtaking piece made up of swirling 3D printed beehives that dances through our atrium to an illuminated ceiling made of bioplastics and showcases advances in material innovation and technology.
Made from fermented sugar, the components of the installation are fully compostable and, in the spirit of the circular economy, will be reusable after the event.
Fortnum & Mason are passionate beekeepers, and some alarming information inspired us to be a part of this installation. A combination of factors, including habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use has seen bee numbers devastated in recent years. Research suggests that the UK has lost an average of 11 species of bee and hoverfly between 1980 and 2013 in every square kilometer of the country.
Individual components will be on sale following the Festival to raise funds to support the UK's bee populations, with 25% of all proceeds donated to Bees for Development.
www.fortnumandmason.com/stories/london-design-festival