Immersive light-and-sound cathedral of trees debuts in Wiltshire barn
A Berlin artist’s Forest Cathedral installation will transform a 13th-century barn into a living woodland of light, sound and kinetic sculpture next month. The debut in Tisbury precedes a 2027 tour of England’s Gothic cathedrals.
Inside a 13th-century tithe barn at Messums West, Tisbury, visitors will step into a 360-degree forest of light and sound next month when Berlin-based artist Andrew Amondson unveils Forest Cathedral.
Mirrored leaves, branching metal forms, and animated shadows respond to each visitor’s movement, turning the timbered space into what Amondson calls a “living reimagining of an ancient wood.” A soundscape of deep forest tones, rustling leaves, and birdsong rises from the barn’s Gothic rafters, simulating the sensation of standing inside a vast cathedral of trees.
Key Points
- ✅ World premiere — First showing of Forest Cathedral at Messums West, Tisbury, Wiltshire
- ⚡ Interactive design — Light, sound, and kinetic sculptures triggered by visitor movement
- 💡 Tour launch — Winchester Cathedral confirmed as next stop in February 2027
Dr Penny Hay, professor of imagination at Bath Spa University and lead researcher on the project, said the collaboration with Messums Creative, Forest of Imagination, and Winchester Cathedral aims to “explore the transformative power of the arts to deepen our relationship with nature.” She described the installation as “a shared creative experience where light and sound become the language of the wild.”
| Project Partner | Role | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Messums ORG | Venue & producer | Hosting the premiere in a 13th-century tithe barn |
| Forest of Imagination | Creative curator | Artistic direction and community engagement |
| Bath Spa University | Research partner | Academic study of imagination and ecological storytelling |
| Winchester Cathedral | Tour host | First confirmed cathedral venue for February 2027 |
Amondson, who spent months mapping the barn’s timbered arches, said walking inside felt like entering an ancient woodland. “The forest became a sacred space,” he said. “Forest Cathedral reflects how light and sound can speak the language of the wild.”
💡 Pro Tip
Book timed entry slots early — visitor movement triggers the kinetic canopy, and overcrowding disrupts the immersive effect.
Johnny Messum, founder of Messums West, called the installation “a mirror held up to nature.” He said: “We are invited to rediscover our shared language with an ecology deeply entangled with who we are.” The project is funded through a blend of arts grants, private sponsorship, and cathedral endowments, with Messums Creative committing £120,000 toward production and touring costs.
📋 By The Numbers
- 12 — Number of mirrored-leaf kinetic sculptures in the installation
- 47 — Average decibel level of the soundscape at peak immersion
- 6 — Confirmed cathedral venues for 2027–28 tour
The installation opens to the public on September 19 and runs through October 31. After Wiltshire, it will travel to Exeter, Gloucester, Salisbury, Wells, and Hereford cathedrals, with further venues under negotiation. Amondson plans to expand the concept internationally in 2028, including a site-specific version in Berlin’s historic St. Nikolai Memorial.
- First — September 19: Public opening at Messums West, Tisbury
- Second — February 3, 2027: Premiere at Winchester Cathedral
- Third — Spring 2028: Berlin debut at St. Nikolai Memorial
Tickets range from £8 to £25, with concessions for students and under-18s. All proceeds fund future iterations and research into art-led ecological storytelling.