THE LIGHT POURS OUT OF ME
Anya Gallaccio
https://www.jupiterartland.org/artwork/the-light-pours-out-of-me
Jupiter Artland’s The Light Pours Out OF ME’s crystal grotto was and still remains one of my greatest sources of inspiration for writing my YA novel, which I hope to publish soon. I was lucky to be invited to Jupiter Artland two years ago by a friend of mine. I didn’t realise at the time just how much impact this magical Artland would have on shaping my novel. In fact I think the Light poured out of that grotto and landed deep in my soul! This wonderful Artland houses many amazing artworks, and sculptures, as well as being a hotspot for educational activities, artist’s talks, and workshops for adults and children. This is one of those truly magical places that you want to devote some time to. So stay there a full day, visit the shop and the café. Enjoy.
“‘The Light Pours Out Of Me’ is a contemporary folly or grotto, a nod to the great tradition of British landscape gardening developed in the 18th century. This is a sculpture, but it’s also part of a garden. I would like it to be unsettling for people when they first encounter it. I’d like them to question whether they should enter the gate or not. Then, when they come into the space it is very formal, quite grandiose but intimate, a quiet place for one or two people.”
“The undulating amethyst walls are very seductive, sensual. The individual crystals grow in unruly clusters producing a deceptively smooth but treacherously jagged surface.”
“The garden is a garden of discovery – an earthwork here, a copse of cradled rocks there, the entrance to a fathomless burrow right before your feet. Visitors to Jupiter Artland are given a map indicating the location of the artworks within the grounds. But there’s no set route. Clockwise or anticlockwise is your choice. As is a left turn here or a right turn there; or the retracing of steps for a second look. The artworks are land marks, events, confrontations on a journey of discovery; an open-ended journey. If you enjoy Jupiter Artland we hope you will return. If you do, over time, you will come across new installations in the park and hopefully come to appreciate more fully the concept of this continual work-in-progress. Come and discover, contemplate and delight.”
“Travelling to Jupiter is easy and we’re only 25 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh. If you are using satellite navigation, be warned you will end up in the middle of a field upsetting our very patient neighbours. PLEASE do follow our instructions on the internet, there is only one entrance to Jupiter and that is via the B7015.”
The above text is taken from the Jupiter Artland website: http://jupiterartland.org
Photos in the body of the text are my own feeble attempts at recording this magnificent grotto.
Click on the link at the top of the page to see the Crystal Grotto in its full glory.
I will be doing a future blog post on the amazing sculptures soon. Can’t wait to tell you all about it.
Have you ever been somewhere special that inspired you? If so, please do let me know, tell me via the comment box below. I’d love to hear your experiences.
M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 