Inspired by the release of the highly anticipated film, The BFG, and the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s birth, director Steven Spielberg, actor Mark Rylance, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, Professor Stephen Hawking and the Delevingne sisters are among dozens of high-profile individuals supporting a project to raise money for children across the world.
A new public art installation called The BFG Dream Jar Trail has launched in partnership with Unilever across the UK. The unique trail has seen the childhood dreams and aspirations of 50 celebrated famous people transformed into sculptures by talented artists. The whimsical sculptures have beenplaced in giant Dream Jars up to six feet tall to form an art trail in London and across the UK for everyone to see for free this summer.
The trail is raising money for Save the Children to support their vital work in some of the toughest places in the world so that every child has the chance to make their dreams come true. It will also benefit a specialist nursing programme supported by Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. The jars are to be auctioned in collaboration with Paddle8 to raise money for both causes.
The film’s Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg has dreamt of having; “All the sweets in the world but this child in a candy shop would have no ill effects from overindulgence”. Entitled ‘Sweet Dreams’, the jar has been designed by the director himself and will be on display in Leicester Square.
Spielberg said: “All kids deserve to have the chance to dream big so I’m delighted to be a part of The BFG Dream Jar Trail so that we can share our dreams together and support the work of Save the Children across the world.”
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall’s dream of sharing the magic of books has been brought to life by the renowned art director Michael Howells. The Duchess said: “The power of a good story is immense. It starts a voyage of discovery into different worlds that broadens and stimulates our minds. My dream is that every child learns to read and discovers the lifelong pleasure of books.”
The unique art trail, which has been jointly organised by Save the Children, the Roald Dahl Literary Estate, Entertainment One and VisitLondon.com and supported by Unilever, will be on display in London and other parts of the UK from 9th July to 31 August. The auction will launch alongside the film’s premiere on 17th July at paddle8.com/bfg.
Among the places hosting jars are The Museum of Modern Art in Glasgow, The Lowry in Manchester, The Hayes shopping area in Cardiff and world-famous London landmarks such as Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, Leicester Square, Harrods, Emirates Stadium and The Shard.
The BFG tells the extraordinary tale of a young girl named Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant County. Together they embark on a marvellous and buckswashling adventure filled with snozzcumbers, dream jars, frobscottle and even the Queen! The mismatched pair form an unlikely friendship that will inspire enormous bravery in the BFG and give Sophie a taste of the family she dreams of. The film stars three-time Tony Award, two-time Olivier Award, BAFTA and Oscar winner Mark Rylance as the Big Friendly Giant; Penelope Wilton as the Queen; Rebecca Hall as Mary, the Queen’s handmaid and introduces newcomer Ruby Barnhill as Sophie. It is released in cinemas on 22nd July.
Professor Stephen Hawking based his dream jar on the thoughts of an ancient Chinese philosopher, who questioned whether our dreams are actually reality – a question Professor Hawking says can only be answered if we understand more about the universe.
He added: “It is so important that everyone has the chance to dream, whatever their age and no matter where they live. I’m proud to share my dream about discovering the secrets of the universe and I am delighted that the money raised will give children everywhere the chance to make their own dreams come true.”
Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams', ‘A Whale’s Tale’, sees her dreaming of being tiny and swimming alongside a whale. “My dream is to be in my swimming costume underwater, when suddenly out of the blue comes a GIGANTIC SPERM WHALE. He swims right up to me and we are nose to nose. He’s huge and I’m very, very tiny, but we swim along together under the ocean waves.”
One Direction's Niall Horan's, ‘Dream Date’, shows him in a hot air balloon floating high with the girl of his dreams above the Irish countryside; “As a little boy, I liked the idea of floating above the trees and looking down on the world from above. Now I like the idea of having someone with me for the ride.”
Models Poppy and Cara Delevingne together with their sister Chloe, chose ‘Sisterhood’ as the theme of their dream: “We are strongest when we are together, our dream is that we will always be close and will support each other.”
HRH The Countess of Wessex has worked with Irish Artist Ryan McElhinney to bring to life her dream of a safe internet for children: “It is imperative that we shelter the most precious thing we have, our children, from the online presences that threaten to destroy their innocence and happiness.”
Other dream jars include granddaughter of the book’s author and writer in her own right Sophie Dahl's ‘Happy Jumble of Life’ Simon Cowell's ‘For the Love of Animals’ actor Helen Mirren's, ‘Dream of England’, businessman Sir Richard Branson's, ‘Reach for the Stars’, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin's, ‘Life on Mars’, Team GB’s ‘Believe in Extraordinary’, Dominic West's ‘Home is Where the Heart is’ and presenter Graham Norton's, ‘Monkeying Around’.
Initially 34 jars will go on display with others being unveiled in the following two weeks.
Tanya Steele, Interim CEO of Save the Children, said: “Changing the world for children means giving them the chance to dream. That’s why Save the Children works in some of the toughest places in the world to make sure every child gets that chance. We do whatever it takes to help children get the healthiest start in life, providing access to life-changing education and protecting them in times of disaster. We’re thrilled to be a partner of The BFG Dream Jar Trail because, through the money raised, we’ll be able to make sure that more children get the opportunity to fulfil their potential no matter how big their dreams are. Together, we can rewrite the story for children everywhere.”
Charlotte Carroll, Sustainability and Communications Director for Unilever UK, said: “We are excited to be supporting The BFG Dream Jar Trail to help inspire children to dream humungous and splendiferous dreams for a brighter future. At Unilever, we believe in creating a better world where everyone has enough food to eat and no child goes to bed hungry. Where every child lives beyond their fifth birthday and has the right to a happy childhood.”
