Charles Jencks’s Crawick Multiverse: A Cosmological Land-Art Masterpiece
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of rural Scotland, the Crawick Multiverse is a breathtaking 55-acre land-art park that has transformed a scarred coal mining landscape into a grassy multiverse.
The Duke’s Vision
The mastermind behind this extraordinary creation is Richard Scott, the tenth Duke of Buccleuch. Inspired by the prehistoric standing-stone arrangements found throughout the U.K., the Duke commissioned renowned artist and landscape architect Charles Jencks to create a modern-day Stonehenge on his estate.
Jencks’s Cosmological Bent
Jencks is known for his land art that explores cosmological themes. At the Crawick Multiverse, he has sculpted two hills created from polluted earth into spiraling paths, representing the Andromeda and Milky Way galaxies. The park also features a “comet walk,” a “supercluster” of triangular mounds, and a mudstone path carved with figures depicting different theoretical arrangements of the universe.
Post-Industrial Found Art
Rather than completely reshaping the mining site, Jencks worked with its existing ridges and furrows, creating a unique form of post-industrial found art. This approach not only saved on landscaping costs but also preserved the site’s industrial history.
Celebrating the Scottish Landscape
The Crawick Multiverse is not just a celebration of the cosmos but also of the surrounding Scottish countryside. Jencks has incorporated local boulders into his artwork and designed the park to offer panoramic views of the rolling hills and landmarks beyond.
A Bargain in Today’s Art Market
Despite its grand scale, the Crawick Multiverse was completed for a relatively modest £1 million, a testament to Jencks’s resourceful use of the site’s existing features.
A Unique Artistic Experience
The Crawick Multiverse is not just a beautiful work of art but also an immersive experience that invites visitors to explore the cosmos, the Scottish landscape, and the relationship between art and nature.
Visitor Information
The Crawick Multiverse is open to the public and offers guided tours. Visitors can also explore the park on their own, following the winding paths and discovering the hidden details of Jencks’s masterpiece.
Directions
The Crawick Multiverse is located near the town of Sanquhar in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It is easily accessible by car and has ample parking available.
Other Attractions Nearby
In addition to the Crawick Multiverse, the area offers a range of other attractions, including historic castles, picturesque villages, and scenic hiking trails. Visitors can easily spend a day or more exploring the region’s many treasures.