Visiting Jupiter Artland

Posted:19 June 2012

On a recent visit to Scotland I was taken to Jupiter Artland, a contemporary sculpture garden in the grounds of Bonnington House outside Edinburgh.  It was absolutely wonderful, atmospheric and very special.   There are works by many leading artists, Andy Goldsworthy, Anthony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Marc Quinn among others, all of whom have been commissioned to create a piece within a particular setting, the topographical location being a crucial feature.

The very beautiful landforms by Charles Jencks welcomes one and they are stunning.  They celebrate the life of the cell, the basic unit of life, and the way in which one cell divides into two in stages. From above, the layout with the mounds, the connecting causeway, and the central rill, plus the four lakes on the outside, symbolise the cells early division into membranes and nuclei.

You are given an illustrated map and your journey continues through a very lovely wood, with ferns unfurling and magnificent trees, you can choose which direction to take, on the hoggin paths, to discover such an amazing diversity of pieces, which please, stimulate, frighten and challenge.

Inside the gallery we saw the remains of a piece of ephemeral art by Anya Gallaccio, Red on Green, where 10,000 red roses had been laid and are now decaying.  “Fragrant, soft and velvety the voluptuousness of the roses en masse evokes romance and decadence that is slowly allowed to blacken like scabs and die”.  On my visit the roses still gave off a faint musky fragrance, but were papery-looking and faded, and evoked a sense of sadness. 

The atmosphere of Jupiter Artland is magical.  As well as the fabulous walk through the pieces of art, delicious food is served from a 1950s retro-American catering caravan and the shop is interesting too!

Robert and Nicky Wilson, who own Bonnington House and have set up Jupiter Artland, are part of the Wilson family that own Bach Flower Remedies. www.jupiterartland.org

It is certainly well worth a visit, as is the city of Edinburgh.  My sister lives in Stockbridge in Edinburgh as is offering Bed & Breakfast during the Edinburgh festival.  If interested, contact Deborah at contact@gardenhousebrighton.co.uk