Doing Joana Vasconcelos: Gateway

Splash out this summer and head up north to Jupiter Artland to bathe yourself in ‘Gateway’, by Portuguese artist and previous Monday Muse, Joana Vasconcelos. Embedded into the landscape of Jupiter Artland’s Garden, ‘Gateway’ brings a new definition to an immersive artwork: a fully functioning swimming pool and landscaped garden. Nine metres in diameter, the pool comprises 11,366 vibrant, hand-painted tiles crafted using traditional methods at a 100-year-old factory in Vasconcelos’ native Portugal.
 
Site-specific to this Scottish getaway, ‘Gateway’ draws on inspiration from the ley lines that are said to intersect at the site of Jupiter Artland. Although invisible, some believe ley lines are mystical ‘energy lines’ connecting sacred and spiritual sites across the world. Creating a gateway from the world to the universe, Vasconcelos has also incorporated patterns from her own astrological chart into the design of the artwork. 
 
“Gateway is a big splash that invites the public to immerse in a joyful and spirited dimension, leading to a connection with the energy of the Earth. It’s like a threshold to another universe that we’re not conscious of but through which we can flow.” – Joana Vasconcelos.
 
New for 2023, the pool is now open for public and private swimming sessions. Grab your trunks and get ready to dive in.