NEON frames wimpole estate with mirrored scenes

NEON frames capability brown-designed wimpole estate with mirrored scenes
all images © agnese sanvito

on the picturesque grounds of the wimpole estate in cambridgeshire, london-based design studio NEON has installed a series of structures that frame views of the picturesque landscape. the artwork ‘scene: a new way of looking’ pays homage to english landscape architect capability brown, and celebrates the 300th anniversary of his birth. NEON has created nine, three meter high structures — a hybrid of an easel and viewing glass — to encourage visitors to explore the capability brown-designed setting at wimpole. the proposed journey around the estate follows in the footsteps of amabel, a member of the 18th century yorke family who made the new parkland at wimpole the subject of her art.

the series of installations is set on the grounds of the wimpole estate in cambridgeshire

situated on the corners of the structures are mirrors, cut in various geometric shapes and sizes. these viewing windows reference a portable drawing aid called a ‘claude glass’, popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries by landscape artists and tourists to frame a view. the user held it in their hand at eye level and turned their back on the scene they wished to see, which was reflected in the glass. NEON’s over-sized edition works in the same way — each device captures a different element of the environment and allows visitors to discover the individual features that make up the whole landscape. various tints have been applied to the mirrors that transform the view in the same manner as a claude glass would have done.

scene: a new way of looking
video courtesy of watchNEON

the project forms parts of trust new art, the national trust’s program connecting people to places through contemporary arts, and is match-funded by arts council england.

NEON has installed a series of structures that frame views of the landscape