Building Site

Building Site

Meadow Arts and Hardwick Hall produce a cutting edge contemporary art exhibition, playfully reflecting on both the awe-inspiring architecture and the compelling narrative of Hardwick’s creation.

Hardwick Hall is one of the finest surviving examples of Elizabethan architecture. Designed by Robert Smythson, a master stonemason and the leading architect of the time; it was built for the formidable Bess of Hardwick, as a monument to her wealth and power.

To celebrate Smythson’s 400-year anniversary, an exhibition of contemporary artworks demonstrate the equivalent creativity, innovation and artistry that the architect and craftsmen of Hardwick showed in their day.

Using exciting new technologies in contrast to the traditional stone masonry at Hardwick, commissioned artist Alastair Mackie has produced a conceptually beautiful piece that orginated in Hardwick’s quarry. The physical and creative processes behind his work have been captured on film by artist Sophie Molins.

Other works, by well known artists including Fiona Banner, Michael Craig-Martin and Gavin Turk refer to the construction process and suggest that Hardwick is an ongoing building site.

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