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Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Megan Nisbet

BBC Countryfile viewers torn over art special as Matt Baker hosts from Snowdon

BBC Countryfile viewers have been left seriously divided over the latest instalment of the series which saw Matt Baker host from Wales. The episode was all about the Green Space, Dark Skies event which saw thousands gather across the UK to transform our highest peaks into a giant art canvas.

The point of the project, which took place at Snowdon, Scafell Pike in England, Ben Nevis in Scotland and Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, was to highlight and increase awareness of our relationship, responsibility and rights to the land and landscape.

Presenting from Snowdon, Matt said: "These rugged peaks are now holiday destinations for millions every year. Depending on when you visit, they're welcoming or inhospitable, colourful, or monotone, sunny or wet.

Read more: The One Show's Alex Jones shares 'unforgettable experience' with family on top of Snowdon

"You never know which one you'll get, which is why they've inspired poets, painters and musicians for centuries. Now we're here to witness the creation of the latest work of art involving our mountains.

"They don't come much bigger than this. The four peaks are to star in Green Space Dark Skies, a living breathing art installation, involving thousands of volunteers and low-impact lights. It's a special celebration of our countryside, captured by some amazing camera and drone technology, culminating in a spectacular 15-minute film that will premiere at the end of the programme."

The film saw the volunteers hold low-impact lights and create intricate patterns in the landscapes that were viewable from aerial shots. The results were magical, with Snowdon taking centre stage as the location for the four-peaks finale.

During the feature, a whole swathe of Snowdon was covered in constellations, while the team also filmed some of the performers on the peak at sunrise. The 15-minute film, which celebrated nature and our responsibility to protect it, aired at the end of the Countryfile episode.

However, viewers were left divided, with some questioning why the event had been aired on Countryfile. "This is all very interesting but it seems to me that #theoneshow would have been a more appropriate home for it than #countryfile," wrote one.

While another added: "Sorry #countryfile what on earth??! Mountains are not for art installations. They don’t need beautifying by artificial light. Just ridiculous"

And a third commented: "What the heck has this light show got to do with Countryfile? What happened to farming? Total load of crap."

"Think Countryfile could do with a spin-off show that shows farming and country life," said a fourth, while a fifth wrote: "I'm watching #countryfile #BBC honestly this article about doing drone scapes with lights is utterly boring & nothing to do with nature. What a waste of time."

Not everyone agreed, however, as many viewers were taken with the mesmerising and magical art. "What an absolutely fantastic piece of art and homage to these wonderful mountains," wrote one. "The emotions it creates are simply incredible! It's very dusty in here."

While another simply added: "Absolutely phenomenal," and a third admitted: "This is the best thing I've seen on #Countryfile for a long time."

"I can see I am in a minority here but I am incredibly moved by this film," said one social media user. "It seems to me to be exactly about mankind in the landscape & the relationship between the two.

"But the fact that so many human beings gathered together to create it is in itself beautiful. " For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.

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