A new installation will light up Castle Howard temple this summer.
Internationally renowned artist and designer Es Devlin will present Library of the Four Winds this summer, a new public sculpture in the Temple of the Four Winds at Castle Howard.
Showcasing from 13 June to 27 September, the artwork is part of the 300th year celebrations of Sir John Vanbrugh, Castle Howard’s architect.
Castle Howard is Britain’s most famous country house, recognised by millions across the world as the location for Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton.
Hailed as ‘the Rockstar of the English Baroque’ and ‘the original starchitect’, Vanbrugh had concurrent careers as an architect, playwright, adventurer, soldier, spy, diplomat and garden designer. To mark the 300th anniversary of his death Castle Howard is celebrating his legacy with exhibitions, installations, workshops, talks and performances across the tercentenary year.
Library of the Four Winds is a new luminous artwork that will take over the Temple of the Four Winds and the surrounding area.
A central sculpture made up of hundreds of books will sit within the Temple itself, with books curated from the personal libraries of Vanbrugh and Devlin. Visitors of all ages are invited to pause and join in communal reading.
The Temple will also be surrounded by four tables at which the public are invited to read, draw, talk, eat and listen.
Extending beyond the Temple, a book trail will lead visitors into Ray Woods where book sculptures can be encountered along the way. The installation will honour the National Year of Reading, and the space will host a series of events throughout the summer.
Nicholas and Victoria Howard said: “It was Vanbrugh’s vision that brought Castle Howard to life, and now the house has the honour of celebrating its creator.
“There are many ways that audiences can engage with and learn about this larger-than-life character this year, and we are delighted to present this response by Es Devlin which allows her to explore her own affinity to Vanbrugh.
“Her work is an innovative response to Vanbrugh’s vision and continues Castle Howard’s work with contemporary artists.”
