I am argung with T of N about whether, back in the day, you had to pay. I have clear memories of parking on the road and just fronting up there. There was no reception, no ice cream van, no loo. Nada. Just ourselves, the sunrise and a million other alternative 80s people enjoying the spring solstice, the mud and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. Now there is a visitor centre, some mock neolithic houses and an exhibition of 250 ancient objects. Or so I glean from the web site. We are on a different mission today and do not have time to stop.
One and a quarter hours later we arrive at Hauser & Wirth, a private Modern Art Gallery just outside Bruton.
This is quite a new concept. Art dealers are essentially selling their goods in a pleasing enviroment with no emphasis on the transaction. No prices are displayed. There is also a shop and and the well designed Roth Bar & Grill, which is seen here from the approach to the complex. The restaurant serves high class locally sourced produce, including that from the small kitchen garden.
The shelves behind the bar are made using old ladders. The clutter above resembles T of N's garage. We enjoy a coffee break here half way through our visit.
A Calder Sculpture faces the outside dining area. Pity that is has turned cold and windy today, and we do not want to linger.
Durslade’s Farmhouse shown below is a working farm which also supplies the restaurant. It forms part of the group of Grade II listed buildings that date back to 16th century and now comprise the gallery. The farm changed hands several times, however in recent years the buildings were left vacant and fell into disrepair. In 2012 Hauser & Wirth received planning permission to restore the buildings, and construction work started later that year.
The Farmhouse also provides accomodation for visiting guests and artists. There are six bedrooms and the minimum stay is two nights. I imagine taking a course here or having an anniversary weekend. I will dream on.
Piet Oudolf, the internationally lauded landscape designer from the Netherlands, has designed the landscaping scheme for the entire site. A series of paths cut through the vegetation, inviting visitors to wander through the garden. Oudolf’s landscaping design continues around the buildings including the inner cloister courtyard, where the old buildings meet the new.
The Radić Pavilion sits naturally within this landscape. It depicts a semi-translucent, cylindrical structure, designed to resemble a shell resting on large quarry stones.
Inside it is really cool and it looks like you can get drinks here in the summer. My Own Art Historian has crept into the photo.
I enjoyed the exhibiton of Don McCullin's Photo Journalism entitled 'Conflict, People, Landscape'. Don started out in the 50s and now lives in Somerset. His work covers the conflicts that have touched me during my life time especially The Troubles in Northern Ireland, but also Biafara, Vietnam, poverty in the UK, the construction of the Berlin Wall, the Lebanese civil war, Belgian Congo, the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and the fall of Phnom Penh. His later landscape photography seems melancholic and I suspect he has not really recovered from what he has seen.
My favourite, again for personal reasons, is Tibetan Refugees, Delhi Railway Station, 1965.
Matthew Day Jackson, Magnificent Desolation, 2013
Inside the gallery there is a No Photography Rule. This is to make you think you are in a real gallery, according to my Own Art Historian. There is a lovely Peter Lanyon and some nice black Rodin like sculptures, white horses and rabbits. I suggest you look at the web site for more detail. This is defintely a good place to visit, perhaps as a break on the way to the West Country.
Next we have a wander round Bruton. It has some wonderful ancient buildings but nowhere decent to eat that isn't packed out so we resolve to go home while it is still light and to explore the small town next time.
We do however spot the appealing Sexey's Hospital which was built around 1630. The West Wing and chapel have been designated as a Grade I listed building. The East Wing and gateway are grade II listed. It is possible to visit some of these areas.
Hugh Sexey, (1556–1619), was a local landowner. After his death the trustees of his will established Sexey's Hospital as an institution to care for the elderly. I think this still functions as alms houses. Fantastic.
When we arrive home T of N cooks his Olive and Potato Lasagne.
I enjoy this and then give the Art Historian a lift to her party. Then it is Camden Brewery's Hell's Raiser Lagar and a Happy New Year to all.
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