Thursday, August 25, 2022

Radical Horizons at Chatsworth

Yesterday we were on our way to visit a friend we hadn't seen since last Autumn and we had stopped to break the journey at Baslow in Derbyshire. A short walk from the centre of Baslow takes you on to the Chatsworth Estate.

Below is the Kissing Gate which takes you into the estate. Inspired by Mrs Jill Cannon and made by Mathers Engineering of Tibshelf it enables wheelchair access to the grounds.  
 
At present Chatsworth is hosting sculptures from The Art of the Burning Man which is held annually in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA.
 
There are twelve sculptures in all and I was hoping to see three or four of the sculptures nearest to the entrance we used.  I wasn't sure how far I could walk but I did quite well.  My little step counter said I'd done 5,500 steps by the time we got back to the car park.
 
There are so many lovely trees in the park but worryingly drifts of crisp, brown leaves were scattered across the grass in some areas.
 
Above and below the first sculpture we came across is Relevé by Rebekah Waites.  It is based on the legend of the Nine Ladies stone circle, a Bronze Age site not far from Chatsworth.  The sculpture celebrates the rebellious spirit of art, dance and music.

It was constructed by youth volunteers and school groups from the local community. 
 
 
The sculpture will be burned at the end of the exhibition in a celebration of 'letting go' of the exhibition which is a tradition of the Burning Man exhibition.

Above and below Lodestar by Randy Polumbo.

Lodestar is made from a second World War military plane.  It has, according to the description, 'blossomed into a contemplative flower and gathering place for pollinators'.
 
It is decorated  with hand blown glass flowers.

Above and below Coralee by Dana Albany and Flash Hopkins.
 
Dana Albany worked with children from the local community to build the Mermaid at Chatsworth.

It is based on the tale of the mermaid's pool which can be found just below Kinder Scout in the High Peaks.

It is made from objects found by the local children and also objects donated by the workers on the Chatsworth estate.


Below is the last sculpture of the four we managed to get to in the time we had.

This one is called Le Attrata and is by Margaret Long and Orion Fredericks.
 
Three moths sit on top of steel spires or flames. There are glowing chrysalises around the sculpture.

I sat on one of the seats incorporated into the sculpture to look up at the moths.

This sculpture was quite popular with visitors mainly because they could sit for a while and take it all in.
 
It was time to make our way back to the car and carry on with our journey.  We saw four out of eight sculptures and are going to go back in a week or two to approach the others from the opposite side of the estate, hopefully we'll see a few more.

As we walked back we spotted the deer under the trees.  

They were happily grazing and not too bothered by the visitors.
 
 

 

18 comments:

  1. That's a lovely exhibition. The mermaid is beautiful and looks like a piece of jewellery! She glistens beautifully in the sunshine. Glad you managed to have a bit of a walkabout Rosie. x

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    1. It is a wonderful exhibition, I hope I can go back and see more. The mermaid was stunning against the water in the sunlight.:)

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  2. The sculptures were quite spectacular especially considering lots of the community had been involved with making them, which is a great idea. I can't help but see a banana in Lodestar. I'm a Philistine, I know! I hope you get back to see the others as it's surprising how many steps you clock up when you're distracted by something. 😊

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    1. Lodestar really does look like a banana especially from a distance. It was interesting to learn of the community involvement in some of the sculptures. I missed some bears, I must go back and find them:)

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  3. Quite amazing & all so different...........and huge! Glad to see you out & about a bit more & Chatsworth is somewhere we had on our bucket list each time we came, but never got there. Take care & hugs.

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    1. They are quite large but the landscape can take it as the estate is huge, I'm looking forward to seeing the others:)

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  4. The sculptures are creative. The deer are welcome to see.

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  5. So pleased you managed what sounds quite a long walk Rosie. Those sculptures are just amazing. Was going to pick the first one as my favourite then by the time I got to the end I couldn't pick just one as I liked each and every one for different reasons!! Thanks for the photos. Take care and look after yourself.

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    1. I was worried I would be able to get as far as the sculptures but I did, I sat for a while too. Each one got better as we moved around, the wooden one is lovely but the mermaid is quite spectacular close to:)

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  6. Getting out and about is good for our well being and Chatsworth is always a pleasant place to take a walk. Those sculptures are interesting. They certainly have impact. It was lovely to see the deer that roam around in the parkland too.

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    1. I really enjoued being out and about and driving through the villages and countryside too. It isn;t too far from Baslow to Holmesfield. It was great to see the deer as well as the sculptures:)

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  7. You seem to been enjoying getting about, some interesting sculptures but not for my garden!

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    1. It is good to be able to get out and about again, just one of those sculptures would fill our garden:)

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  8. Stunning sculptures, well worth seeing by the look of them. Glad you’re beginning to be able to walk a bit more. B x

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    1. Thank you Barbara, I'm hoping to go back and see a few more before the exhibition ends now I'm getting around and about a bit more:)

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  9. We have not been to Chatsworth but it is certainly somewhere I want to visit now. The sculpture exhibition was quite amazing. I can't decide which is my favourite as they are all beautiful. It was also lovely to see the deer grazing too.

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    1. I want to return and find the other sculptures before the exhibition ends. It's aways good to see the deer. I hope you get to visit one day:)

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