Tucked between the rolling hills of Napa and Sonoma in the wine region of Carneros, California sprawls The Donum Estate, a luxurious winemaking facility, all-organic farm, and contemporary hospitality experience housing a world-renowned sculpture garden titled The Donum Collection.
Consisting of nearly 60 works, The Collection’s newest sculpture complex, HYPERSPACE, was created by installation artist, pianist, and composer Yang Bao. The series of outdoor sound sculptures play site-specific, original compositions that constantly recompose themselves to echo the shift of their natural surroundings: wind, temperature, humidity, light. The sensory experience quite literally reflects the exuberant fauna surrounding the complex, with large mirrored panels capturing fragments of sky and foliage. To the artist, HYPERSPACE is in constant conversation with the environment, creating a transformative soundscape that compliments Donum’s dedication to a sensory wine experience.
Bao began designing HYPERSPACE in 2023 with the help of multimedia artist Wa Liu, known for her video, painting, installation, and VR expertise. On the intention behind his work, Bao shares, "Through this unique sound sculpture, I aim to capture the essence of Donum, evoking its subtle and emotive qualities. Guests can enjoy Donum wine surrounded by ever-changing sounds, carefully designed to create a spatial atmosphere. HYPERSPACE encourages visitors to experience the land's beauty with open senses and to appreciate the connection between humans and nature.”
A 24k golden pyramid lays at the center of the complex, holding an organ made of nine reflective steel sculptures and emitting ethereal melodies that create a sort of immersive sound bath. Throughout the vineyard, nine other sculptures stand amidst the greenery. This magic number nine holds meaning in many ancient cultures, symbolizing two central themes of HYPERSPACE: infinity and eternity.
The musical composition played throughout HYPERSPACE is accessible on streaming platforms, and tours of The Donum Estate grounds are available on their website.