The Frugal Forest is a creation & installation project: an intricately detailed forest built entirely from salvaged materials, by artists, musicians, scientists, business, industry and community across the Mid North Coast of NSW in Australia. The below short film documents the 3 year process, 1100 participants and the opening at The Glasshouse in Port Macquarie in 2016.

Witness the creation of an intricately detailed forest made entirely from salvage. Frugal Arts Inc worked with artists, scientists, musicians, schools and community across the Mid North Coast for three years to create the Frugal Forest.

The creative team is led by artist-extraordinaire Bryony Anderson.. along with President of Frugal Arts Inc Chay Khamsone and composer Rae Howell (my job was creating the soundscape: a compact 20-minute 5.1 surround sound composition of a 24-hour cycle of the rainforest, created entirely from foley effects (rubbish and recycled materials!), with the help of composer Ben Robinson and sound designer Sam Petty).

Frugal Forest Soundscape (mp3)

A$5.00

The installation has been touring as a free public exhibition around regional NSW galleries since 2016, including the Sydney Opera House in July (2017), before taking up its current residence at the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre in Port Macquarie, Australia.

Every step of the process has be revealed via the Frugal Forest website, through social media, short films, an education kit and hands-on workshops. And you can listen and buy the stereo mp3 version here.. for only a fiver!

The Frugal Forest is a One Off Makery project, supported by Midwaste Regional Waste Forum.