Joana Vasconcelos Transforms a Scottish Pool Into a 'Gateway' to Another Universe

Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos has conceived a colorful and interactive installation at Jupiter Artland in Edinburgh, Scotland, transforming a nine-meter pool into a vibrant display of art based off of her own astrological chart. Titled Gateway, the work was three years in the making and is meant to serve as a “joyful and spirited dimension, leading to a connection with the energy of the Earth,” according to Vasconcelos.

Gateway is constructed of 11,366 hand-painted and glazed tiles that are each uniquely different. Every piece used to form the pool is a one-of-one that was created at Viúva Lamego, a 100-year-old factory in Portugal, in collaboration with Atelier Joana Vasconcelos. Together, the tiles form a cohesive pattern of swirling lines, showcasing various colors like purple, red, yellow, blue and orange throughout. The pool is surrounded by green yew hedges that mark the “limit to the artist’s intervention,” which Vasconcelos planned out according to the park’s leylines (alignments throughout the earth that are believe to channel energy and connect spiritual sites around the world).

“It’s like a threshold to another universe that we’re not conscious of but through which we can flow,” said Vasconcelos.

Visitors that wish to swim in the pool can book tickets for specified “bathing sessions,” which start at a price of about £5 GBP (approximately $6 USD) on Jupiter Artland’s website. The installation will be open until September 29, 2019.

For more art news, take a look at Vasconcelos’ massive crochet sculpture, Simone, which was on view in Paris this spring.