Inspired by the Delaval’s love of mischief, theatre and tricks, our task was to design interventions to reinvigorate the spirit of Seaton Delaval Hall in the landscape. The installations sit carefully placed in the South East Garden so that the historical walk is punctuated by intriguing experiences.
The interventions are discovered as visitors walk the South East garden. The structures at first glance appear formal but as approached they reveal and distort, essentially playing tricks and pranks on families. The interventions are designed to amuse and engage people of all ages.
THE MIRROR CUBE
Set in a birch grove, the mirror cube reflects its surroundings creating an infinite birch forest. Through the reflection of the trees and approaching formal path, it visually disappears. Within the cube is an accessible mirror maze, drawing the birch grove in and through its angled mirrors. The maze appears infinite with several surprises, assumed walls don’t exist whilst openings appear closed. The cube’s visible surfaces are entirely clad in highly polished stainless steel mirror, distorting and reflecting the surroundings. The ceiling is slatted aluminium composite allowing rain and light to fall through the structure.
THE DARK MATTER CUBE
Reflecting the Mirror Cube is the Dark Matter Cube, with a similar cubic volume. The cube is made of pleached hornbeam trees. Holding their leaves in winter, the carefully shaped upper cube absorbs light, whilst the mirror reflects. In the centre of the cube is a star shaped mirror that is positioned and angled so that it creates an infinite forest of tree trunks under the pleached top. Whilst the mirror cube reflects its surroundings, the dark matter cube reflects itself, creating an infinite forest within. The mirror is free standing and constructed from highly polished stainless steel mirror.
Dark Matter Cube Image Credit: Southern Green Ltd