The Room of Discovery: 'An inspiring work of art'
After 18 months of careful planning and preparation, A la Ronde’s new immersive space – the ‘Room of Discovery’ - is now open.
Commissioned as part of the two-year project to share the stories and history of A la Ronde in more detail than ever before, this new space gives visitors the chance to encounter, understand and appreciate the fragile beauty of A la Ronde’s historic Shell Gallery in a completely new way.
Working with Monica-Shanta
The visual artist selected to create this new space was Monica-Shanta. Using the same natural materials found in the historic Shell Gallery, we challenged Monica-Shanta to make an experience full of contradictions; a homage to the original Shell Gallery, but not a copy, a fragile but robust space, which can be touched and experienced by visitors up close.
The natural materials used in the Room of Discovery came from donations, partnerships with Exmouth fishing and restaurant businesses and mindful shell collecting walks on local beaches. Monica-Shanta worked with a team of fellow craftspeople, notably Clare Jenkinson who created the feather work and watercolour bird paintings featured in the Room.
Over 1000 hours was dedicated to just the shell work, with the design process, additional craft and installation, adding countless more hours.
The WOW factor
The Room of Discovery has been an unusual artistic commission, and now it is open, the visitor response has been fantastic. Here is just a snippet of feedback:
‘A brilliant addition...a real inspiration’
‘Truly wow...an astonishingly vibrant and spiritual display!’
“A beautiful space that is a work of art... this helped me understand the fragility of the original Shell Gallery”
Perhaps the most moving comment has come from Jonathan Harwood, the son of the last owner Ursula Tudor Perkins, who described the Room of Discovery as the best new feature for A la Ronde since the Parminters. With this stamp of approval from such an important person, we cannot wait for you to see the new space too.
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Monica Shanta - Making the Room of Discovery, 17th July 2024
Monica-Shanta, artist and creator of the Room of Discovery, speaks about her inspiration and process for creating this innovative new space for A la Ronde.
The Compendium
The Compendium is a collection of stories to delight and surprise. You can explore all things A la Ronde here in one central place for the first time. We will be adding new stories for years to come.
Our Project - A la Ronde: Conserving the Past, Creating the Future
In 2022 we embarked on a major project to transform A la Ronde’s offer for our visitors, volunteers, and local community.
Our Conservation Story: Conserving the past, creating the future
Learn more about the conservation work undertaken at A la Ronde during the 'Conserving the Past, Creating the Future' project.