200 artists and jewellers have been asked to decorate giant eggs for the world’s largest egg hunt in London. (www.thebigegghunt.co.uk) We’ve had cows in London and we’ve had Gormley’s statues – now we have eggs. Has sequestering yet more art amongst the squares and buildings of London lost its novelty value? Perhaps, but I think there is still creative life left in the idea…
As anyone who has attempted serious Easter egg decoration knows – it’s all about the concept and execution. It is a good creative exercise. What would you do? It’s simple really, just paint something – anything… but you will soon realise the egg surface – literally – changes the boundaries of the challenge. One approach is to start with an egg idea. On the Fabergé roster are many such examples: there is a dinosaur egg, an osprey egg, a golden egg, a chocolate egg and a jewel-case egg (à la Fabergé). But the designs that stand out take a more oblique view, e.g., Birdie, by Danelza Hill is deceptively brilliant in morphing a golf ball texture and surface onto an egg – completely counter-intuitive; whereas Ajay Padda has turned the egg into a bird cage, no longer an egg but wittingly evolved into an extremely practical idea. Not all designs will happily transfer to an ovaloid, including – unfortunately – penguins (pandas work better). Humpty Dumpty would be expected – and there is a version signed by Royalty somewhere in St. James’s Park. There are many other famous and noble names who have contributed – including Tommy Hilfiger, Sir Peter Blake, Sir Ridley Scott, and Sir Nicolas Grimshaw – each of their designs embodying some aspect of their persona: bow ties, pop art, alien egg (?) and inside a building.
Of course Easter eggs are often just beautifully decorated or illustrated, such as Natasha Mann’s Moroccan inspired designs, or the egg featured above – an appropriate Baby Ganesha by Mythili. It was a genuine delight to stumble upon it at the top of St Martin’s Lane.
As with Baby Ganesha, the eggs are ‘hidden’ throughout London – each has a code which can be used to enter a competition. The egg hunt is presented by Fabergé on behalf of two charities: Action for Children and Elephant Family. It is an excellent creative campaign and no doubt will be successful in raising the expected funds.
