Winter Light at Waddesdon

Last weekend saw the brilliant but hectic Christmas Fair at the Ruskin Glass Centre. So this weekend, Francis and I decided to escape, taking a trip to Waddesdon Manor. Waddesdon is a French Chateau - but doesn't require a hop over the Channel, as it nestles in rural Buckinghamshire.

Run by the National Trust, it certainly looks a magnificent house to explore. But we'd already decided we were going to stick to the gardens, as our main aim was to see Winter Light, a series of light installations by the British artist Bruce Munro.

As the light faded, we explored the grounds - which are HUGE.  There were shops and a cafe in an amazing stable block (which most people would call a mansion in its own right), and we also stumbled upon a festive food market in the estate's garden centre.

Brass Monkeys (left) and Water Towers (right)
Bruce Munro

But once it was dark, we made our way towards the six installations on the other side of the Manor.  With extended opening hours over the weekend, there were plenty of people and a great atmosphere:  The gardens aren't well lit, so many people were using torches and glowsticks to find their way! But the inky blackness was worth the odd stumble, as it showed the work to perfection.

Mynah Words (left) and Parliament of Owls (right)
Bruce Munro

The scale and use of light was a little awe-inspiring for a glass artist...lots to think about. But what struck me most about these pieces, was their impact on the audience. There was a sense of shared adventure and discovery - and it was lovely to hear all the discussions going on around you.  In many ways it reminded me of Olafur Eliasson's Weather Project in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern, back in 2003. It changed the behaviour of the audience - everyone was more positive and joyful.

River of Light
Bruce Munro

Although a difficult choice, I think my favourite piece was River of Light. Around six thousand globes on sticks (excuse the unromantic description...) snaked down a shallow basin, the LEDs inside them subtly changing colour over time.  But it was Parliament of Owls which made me laugh - pairs of Fresnel lens had been backlit with LED candles, and stared out from their perches on a telegraph pole.

The hardest piece to capture, was Tepees - with its constantly flashing light tubes it needed a very long exposure to capture any sense of shape.  I ending up plumping for video instead, which you can catch on my YouTube page.

Winter Light is on show at Waddesdon until 1 January 2014.  For more information, visit the Winter Light at Waddesdon page.  Bruce Munro is back for more experiments with light next winter - so I think I'd better block out a free weekend now!