Located in the Dandenong Ranges, a set of low-lying mountains approximately 35 kilometres outside Melbourne, Burnham Beeches is an art deco mansion that dates back to the 1920’s. Although stately and beautiful, the building has sat abandoned for the past 20 years. This year, local artist Rone transformed the house into an interactive and immersive piece of art, and now for a limited time only, members of the public have the chance to step inside to discover the secrets it holds.
Inside Burnham Beeches. Image by Rone
Called Empire, the project saw Rone furnishing the house with over 500 individual antique pieces, including a grand piano that was left to the elements for several weeks to age. Described as part exhibition, part installation, it combines visual art, sound, light, botanical design and scents, all of which work together to target the senses of people that visit. Each of the 12 rooms has been designed differently, and are thematically linked to the changing of the seasons.
The project took one year to assemble. Image by Rone
Open now and running until 22 April, the project includes large portraits of a woman painted on the walls throughout the house, designed to create a haunting reminder of the past lives connected with it. Throughout its history, the house served as a family home, a research facility, a children’s hospital and a luxury hotel.
“Empire was inspired by my experience exploring and painting abandoned buildings. I have always found it interesting that the objects left behind tell their own story. The property filled me with questions and left me wondering what had happened, who had lived there in the past and why had the doors never been reopened. I have brought some of these thoughts to life by making a story from 500 objects,” Rone told Lonely Planet Travel News.
Empire includes visual art, sound, light, botanical design and smells. Image by Rone
Empire Follows the artist’s 2017 The Omega Project, which saw a family home in suburban Alphington being transformed into a gallery and installation piece before being completely demolished.
Empire can be seen by booking online. More information on visiting is available at Rone’s official website.
The post Explore an abandoned mansion that has been transformed into an art gallery appeared first on Lonely Planet Travel News.