Donum Estate Unveils Site-Specific ‘HYPERSPACE’ Among The Vines

Since their founding in 2011 The Donum Estate —a leader in single-vineyard, single-appellation Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Carneros—has created an art gallery among the vines at their picturesque estate. Totaling nearly 60 monumental works, the grounds may have just unveiled its most impressive piece: ‘HYPERSPACE’—the groundbreaking, sound sculpture complex designed and created by multi-hyphenate artist Yang Bao.

The latest addition to the Donum Collection, ‘HYPERSPACE’, uniquely embodies Donum’s vision to create a holistic sensory wine experience. The expansive, site-specific, sound and art complex, ‘HYPERSPACE’, was designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment and to constantly converse with its surroundings. The sculptures reflect the seasonal landscape, while the music—a site-specific composition by Yang Bao—constantly composes itself and evolves with the wind, temperature, and humidity. The reflective surface of the structures and their placement in relation to one another create an ever-evolving soundscape that mirrors the changing natural environment and immerses guests in an infinite matrix of sensations and imaginations.

" 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 ,” Yang shares. “ ‘HYPERSPACE’ encourages visitors to experience the land's beauty with open senses and to appreciate the connection between humans and nature .”

Central to the sound sculpture complex is a golden pyramid crafted from 24k gold-coated stainless steel, creating an elegant and timeless aesthetic. Within the pyramid, a futuristic space organ is constructed of nine mirror-finish stainless steel sculptures that emit ethereal melodies that reverberate seamlessly within the vineyards. Symbolizing infinity and eternity, the number nine holds significance in ancient cultures and plays a central role in the harmonious composition of ‘HYPERSPACE’. In the surrounding fields, nine additional mirror-finish stainless steel sculptures surround the visitors in a spatial soundscape that evolves through time and chance, transforming the complex into a gigantic instrument and fostering a reciprocal exchange between humans and nature.

“ The Donum Estate is a multi-dimensional winery, and ‘HYPERSPACE’ represents a bold step forward inspired by our ethos of sustainability and Yang's past collaboration with The Donum Estate in furthering our convergence of wine, art, nature and culture ,” shares Angelica de Vere Mabray, CEO of Donum. “ Celebrating a new era for Donum, ‘HYPERSPACE’ embodies our belief in celebrating not only the craftsmanship of winemaking but also the broader gifts of the land, art, and community .”

Yang Bao previously collaborated with The Donum Estate in 2022, when he was commissioned to compose an original composition to commemorate the launch of ‘Vertical Panorama Pavilion’ (2022) by Studio Other Spaces. During this momentous event, Bao premiered his album 'Hyperdrive', a composition inspired by his fascination with echoes and the unpredictable nature of sound, serving as an ode to the ever-changing world beyond human control. Following the Pavilion launch, Bao began designing ‘HYPERSPACE’ with production commencing in 2023 in collaboration with Wa Liu, a multimedia artist known for exploring the interconnectedness between humans and nature.

Since 2011, Donum has been placing large-scale sculptures throughout their Carneros Estate. At present, these include Ai Weiwei’s ‘Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads’, Keith Haring’s ‘King and Queen’, and Zhan Wang’s ‘Artificial Rock’, Yue Minjun’s ‘Terracotta Warriors’, Jaume Plensa’s ‘Sanna’ and Subodh Gupta’s ‘Soma’, among other works. The musical composition played throughout ‘HYPERSPACE’ will also be accessible on streaming platforms, enabling guests to enjoy their own wine tasting journey beyond the Estate.

For more information and to book a tour please visit thedonumestate.com .