Chocolate smashing event in Bristol concludes 'Edible Histories' project
The scheme has seen a number of chocolate sculptures placed around the city over the past few months
Today's the day for 10 lucky people - as they're getting the chance to smash a ton of chocolate - as a city-wide project comes to an end in Bristol.
It's called 'Edible Histories', and has seen a number of chocolate sculptures placed around the city over the past few months, which have all told Bristol's inspiring story through fairly-traded and local-made chocolate.
The project, funded by the West of England Mayoral Authority, and led by the Metro Mayor Dan Norris, is part of Bristol's 650th anniversary celebrations.
The five objects, 1.2-metre sized replicas of objects which represent the locations they've been stored in, were all wrapped in gold foil and made my a team at Zara's Chocolates in Southville, and were all designed by local artist, Luke Jerram.
They've been on display, next to the original pieces, at:
- Aerospace Bristol
- Bristol Zoo Project
- Tyntesfield
- Glenside Hospital Museum
- M-Shed
Edible Histories has provided an opportunity to engage with the many parts of the city's identity - including the trans-Atlantic slave trade, which is heavily linked with the production of chocolate.
Today, the special chocolate smashing event at St George’s is taking place marks the end of the sweet arts project.
All five objects, which have been wrapped in gold foil, and displayed with their original pieces within the much-loved attractions are for the first time will being brought together for what's promised to be 'a very special, and messy, event' at St. Georges.
Weighing in at over 100kg and around 1m each in size, the objects include the largest chocolate button in history from Glenside Hospital Museum, a giant chocolate gorilla from Bristol Zoo Project and an iconic, supersonic chocolate Concorde jet plane from Aerospace Bristol.
The event will see an introduction about the project by artist, Luke Jerram, and a talk by historian Dr Richard Stone, who is a specialist in Bristol’s history and the transatlantic slave trade, in front of a crowd of 500 who got tickets, before the objects are introduced by the participating venues.
The event will see the objects broken up via special hammers and chisels by ten specially selected members of the public who have been chosen by random from a ballot, alongside a live musical accompaniment on grand piano.
Mayor Dan Norris will formally conclude the event, and the Edible Histories project.
With over £500 already raised in public donations for the Trussell Trust in Bristol, much of the chocolate will also go to foodbanks across the city after the event - which runs from 10.30am until 12.30am.
Read more: Bristolians urged to sign up for ballot to smash chocolate
Read more: 'Largest ever' chocolate button unveiled in homage to Bristol's heritage
You can also find out more about the Edible Histories project here.