The entrance of the Burton at Bideford is undergoing a makeover. The planters and seating area at the front of the building are being turned into ‘ships’ with a dazzle camouflage design.
Dazzle camouflage, sometimes known as razzle dazzle or dazzle painting, was used in World War l on boats and ships. The design was invented by British artist Norman Wilkinson. Dazzle camouflage uses complex patterns of geometric shapes with contrasting colours, interrupting and intersecting each other. The idea of dazzle is not to conceal the ship but to make it difficult to estimate its size, speed, and direction of travel and so make it harder to attack.
The Burton team have already painted one ‘ship’ and Julian the Burton’s learning and engagement manager is enlisting the help of our local schools to design the others. Kicking off with Appledore School, the children will be getting creative and producing their very own dazzle camouflage ‘ships’, some of which, will then be painted up at the front of the building.
The Burton at Bideford’s new Director Ian Danby says ‘The activity is going to be an ongoing annual event to animate the outside of the building working with Schools from across the Torridge area.
We want to thank the Friends of the Burton for their generous support to make this project possible. An official opening will happen over the summer.
