A WINTER wonderland reminiscent of scenes from The Chronicles of Narnia have been brought to life by a cocktail bar in Brighton.

The bar and music venue Patterns, based on Brighton’s seafront, is offering customers the chance to get lost in an enchanting snowy forest thanks to a digitally projected and interlinked woodland.

The pop-up experience, which will stay until February, is complete with falling snowflakes, inquisitive wild animals and scents of the forest air.

It launched earlier this month and is inspired by Britain's woodlands and wild outdoors.

Inside, customers will find festive treats such a boozy hot chocolate menu and hot buttered rum to enjoy as they watch a flock of birds fly around the room or a snow fox dart in front of them.

Imagine watching the sunset in Narnia with a warming cocktail in hand, dancing amongst the swirling snow in the glow of a Victorian lamppost and you will be half way to Woodlandia.

There will also be a series of specially curated immersive events inspired by the natural world such as urban foraging and winter wreath making workshops.

The digital forest has been created by Brighton based digital projection artist Thomas Buckley as an extended sequel to his two-day Digital Autumn project at The Brighton Dome during Brighton Digital Festival.

Thomas, a graduate from the University of Brighton, said “A lot of my work is me trying to create a sense of discovery and awe at the natural world.

"For Woodlandia, I'll be building a digital collage of found images, from books, old photographs and peoples holiday uploads to Facebook.

"I'll animate these and record my own footage to layer on top along with 3D elements.

"This will form a looping backdrop image to be projected onto the wall.

"In front of this I'll position 'found items' - an old sofa, a day bed, an old bath to create a feeling of discovery - like this winter scene has been found by chance. In front of this object layers of material will hang and falling snow will be projected across it.”

Woodlandia will be in place for four months from November to February, giving the installation time to evolve and grow with the seasons.

Make sure you return after Christmas to watch the forest thaw and turn green with the first flushes of spring.

*Patterns, 10 Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TL

http://patternsbrighton.com/tales-from-woodlandia-patterns/

https://www.facebook.com/events/190226564734603/

Winter Opening Hours

Mondays – Closed (available for private hire)

Tuesdays – 5pm – 2am

Wednesday - 5pm – 2am

Thursdays - 5pm – 3am

Fridays - 4pm – 4am

Saturdays - 12pm – 4am

Sundays - 12pm - 12am

EVENTS

Woodland Lino Cutting with Jessica Sharville

Date: 12 November

Time: 2pm - 5pm

Price: £20

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/woodland-lino-cutting-tickets-28046517890

Learn the basics in lino cutting at this beginner’s workshop taught by local Brighton artist Jessica Sharville.

In this workshop you’ll learn how to plan a suitable design, carve the lino using the different tools and then print a black and white design. You will learn how to confidently carve onto softcut which is ideal for beginners and easier to cut than linoleum, you will also learn about the tools and techniques and what materials are available to start lino cutting from home All materials will be provided and you will get to take home your lino cut and your set of prints. Jessica Sharville is a freelance artist who sells her lino cut prints locally around Brighton and online.

Wild Winter Wreath Workshop

Date: 3 Dec

Time: 2pm - 4pm

Price: £32.50 plus booking fee

Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/winter-wreath-making-workshop-in-an-enchanted-digital-forest-tickets-28555857338

Learn how to make a stunning Willow based winter wreath with florist Katie Kearns in two hours of festive creativity set in an enchanted digital forest at Patterns. You will be taught how to make big and wild winter wreaths using Willow to make the frame. There will be a selection of beautiful big headed flowers and wild foliage to choose from that will dry out on your wreath, ensuring it lasts throughout the winter season. All materials included.

Urban Foraging Cocktail Workshop

Date: 25th February

Time: 4pm-5:30pm

Price: £15

Tickets: Coming soon

Ever wondered what edible things you walk past each day in Brighton and Hove? Not sure how to spot them or what to do with them? Join local designer and urban forager Claire Potter for an introduction to foraging and a few top tips of where to find useful things, culminating in a cocktail making session using flavours gathered from the city itself.

Over 18’s only.