Beautiful Kielder Water & Forest Park in Northumberland offers an enchanting and surprising mix of fabulous, free, open air art and architecture to its visitors. At 250 square miles, it is the largest open-air space in the UK to offer visitors an arts and architecture programme.
Over 25 fascinating, individual pieces are positioned around the Lakeside Way and deep within the forest. Some are temporary and new art is frequently commissioned which means there is always something surprising and different to experience.
Although not restricted to a particular format or material – which adds to their fantastic diversity and scale – each installation offers an interesting insight into the way the artist has responded to the unusual environment.
You are encouraged to step inside many of these structures, which offer alternative insights into the landscape’s history, occupation, weather, seasonal conditions and the passage of time. Visitors experience their own creative responses and often return time and again to their favourite pieces.
Now two of the most popular artworks here will be upgraded to provide an enhanced experience for all.
The giant, all-seeing, listening Silvas Capitalis (popular name: Forest Head) was conceived as a watcher – an imaginary presence who has observed the surrounding landscape for thousands of years. It may have even seen Romans march to nearby Hadrian’s Wall – and heard the creation of forest and lake at Kielder from a farmland valley. Visitors enter through its mouth, climb upstairs and look out of the eyes for a different perspective on the surrounding countryside.
But from May 2018, people will be able to “hear” and become the “voice” of Kielder Forest too! By positioning their ears to the new “ear trumpets” within Silvas Capitalis, visitors will experience enhanced “sounds” of the forest – the rustling of leaves, murmur of wind in the trees and the calling of birds and wildlife. Or they may wish to shout through the ear trumpets – which also act as amplifiers – to their friends below:
“The art and architecture here is an extension of its environment and offers people a sense of freedom from convention,” says Kielder Art & Architecture Curator Peter Sharpe:
“The experience of Silvas Capitalis – and all of our unique and unusual art and architecture at Kielder – is for you to interpret and enjoy as you wish – whether that’s through play – or contemplation. The ear trumpets were planned when Silvas Capitalis was initially conceived in 2009. Now thanks to a grant from the Arts Council, we’re going to be able to present Silvas Capitalis as it was intended nine years ago.”
Another favourite Art & Architecture piece at Kielder to get a new look – thanks to technological advances – is the popular Skyspace. This is a sculptural artwork where you will find yourselves in a circular room, which in daylight hours is lit only by natural light through the roof opening, focusing attention just on the
sky. Usually our sky seems far away behind trees, hills or houses – but here it appears to hover just above our heads.
From June 2018, an upgraded lighting system will be installed, thanks to funding from the Forestry Commission, the Henry Moore Foundation and the Arts Council. If you visit at dusk, just as the natural daylight is receding, you will be treated to a beautiful visual experience which will alter the intensity of your visit and offer you an enhanced sense of calm and quiet away from the distractions of everyday life.
Curator Peter Sharpe says of the new Skyspace lighting: “Artist James Turrell, who created Skyspace, is well known for his interest in light, space and the psychology of perception. With this enhanced lighting programme, he manipulates light and space to alter the way our senses interpret what we see. It’s totally fascinating as well as being calming and enjoyable.”
Kielder Water & Forest Park, Northumberland
Another interesting piece in Kielder Forest is The grass seemed darker than ever– a mystical sculpture by Fiona Curran consisting of a tall, brightly painted paling fence encircling a section of the forest. Within the enclosure is forest debris but painted black. Together, the imposing fence and its dark interior allude to the historic ‘Black Act’, introduced in the 18th Century to curtail poaching.
More appealing and intriguing pieces include the beautiful companion pieces Freya’s Hut and Robin’s Cabin – two small buildings that face each other across Kielder Water, illustrating the magical story of Freya and Robin who live on opposite sides of the lake.
Or there are the three huge, rotating Janus Chairs which are positioned on the shores of the lake, can easily accommodate several adults or children and can be swiveled to face any direction. At any time of the year, visitors can be spied enjoying picnics here, or positioning as many people as possible on to the chairs for pictures.
And there is a must for children as well as adults – the Minotaur Maze – which even includes a set of stairs to take visitors above the walls to find alternative routes and a small glittering room formed from rocks of recycled glass.
Curator Peter Sharpe says of the Art & Architecture at Kielder: “James Turrell said ‘It isn’t what I see that is important, but what you see.’ He simply creates places, which help people to create their own experiences. Against the backdrop of Kielder Water & Forest Park, that is what we aspire to do as well within the Art & Architecture programme.”
For more information on Kielder Art and Architecture please go to www.kielderartandarchitecture.com
