Lenox— On a cold Friday evening, my husband and I took a tour of The Mount’s “NightWood,” an outdoor sound and light installation by Clerestory Light. We both found “NightWood” to be an elevated, ethereal, spiritual, artful, and deeply moving experience.
A fantastical winter landscape inspired by the natural world, “NightWood” combines cinematic and atmospheric music, theatrical lighting, and scenic elements to create encounters that evoke wonder, delight, and mystery. Executive Director Susan Wissler explains, “NightWood has continued to evolve and become more about the natural environment and our relationship to it. This year, we go deeper into the exploration of the lifecycle of trees and the forest, and the mystical journey from organic solid matter to light and air in a way that is both powerful and playful.”
The Mount once again collaborated with lighting specialist Chris Bocchario of Clerestory Light to create this year’s show. “We are thrilled to be back for NightWood’s fifth year! The more time we spend roaming the woods and gardens of Edith Wharton’s magnificent estate, the more we discover: the perfect mushroom in a fallen log; the dappled, violet light rippling across the leafy ground; the soft but steady burble of the stream, the wild calls of the night birds – all of this has synthesized into ‘NightWood.’ This year, we’ll bring visitors even deeper into the woods than ever before on a brand-new path that will take us ever closer to the heart of the forest.” Clerestory Light’s artist statement accurately captures the multi-sensory exhibit, ”There is something powerful about being in the woods at night: a connection to our ancient past, to old traditions and long-forgotten experiences. It arouses a host of emotions which differ from person to person. We summon these feelings using a combination of sound, light, and sculpture to evoke an atmosphere that stimulates memory and awakens imagination.”
This sentiment resonates with me deeply, especially in the snowy woods with a brisk chill in the air. The addition of the light and sound scapes is truly spiritually evocative. “The Hollow” installation is particularly moving. Upon arrival to “The Hollow,” there is a sign that reads, “In a secluded hollow deep in the forest, a great tree has died. Through flame and ember, its body rejoins the earth, while its spirit floats aloft, a gossamer canopy shimmering with hope and rebirth. As trees old and young bear witness, the cycle of life begins anew.” Surrounding the relic stump is a circle of seating under a stunning gossamer canopy. Under the moonlight, our time spent at this installation connected us to the woods in this moment allowing us to reflect on the memories of our past and traditions left behind.
Checking into the exhibit is a breeze. You pull into parking lot where you’ll find a quintessential ticket booth. Behind the ticket booth, there is a trail into the woods leading to “Nightwood.” The delightful illuminated one-mile trail meanders up and down and through the woods, so it is not recommended for walkers or wheelchairs. Fortunately, this is an accessible experience; golf cart tours are offered on weekends. Once you begin to make your way on the trail, you pass through “The Portal,” the first of eight wondrous installations. A sign reads, “Since ancient times, mystical portals have allowed passage from our human world to the realms of faeries, spirits, and gods. As we approach this portal, woven of trees and light, we draw closer to the unknown. Once we cross the threshold, the journey begins!” The lights change color and dance to a mystical soundscape making it impossible not to be drawn into the moment.
Another particularly evocative installation is called “The Earth Growers,” described as “the heart of the forest,” “the birth place of trees,” and “a dense network of nutrient-rich soil and fungi growing and greening the earth.” The magical sound scape and the lit hand-blown plastic “fungi” was simply delightful.
I found the “The Glass Garden” to be the piece de resistance of the exhibit. A sign reads “As the air turns brisk and the verdant sunken garden begins to brown, life goes on beneath the surface. Within a garden of glass domes, we encounter small reminders of this life force that is, at times, so delicate and in need of gentle care and protection.” Each installation offers wisdom on which to reflect while immersed in the light and sound. Combined with the invigorating chill in the air, the nostalgic snow on the ground, the thrill of being in the woods at night, and the company of your friends and loved ones, this experience is one that is not to be missed.
After the tour, we visited the NightWood Café which was serving beer and wine, mulled wine; and classic, flavored, and boozy hot chocolates and ciders. I enjoyed a very welcome hot cup of caramel hot chocolate, while my husband opted for the classic topped with whipped cream. The café also serves snacks like a brown butter rice crispy treat and pistachio cranberry shortbread. We shared a rice crispy treat and it was scrumptious. Our evening culminated in the sharing of a steaming hot plate of truffle fries from the KJNosh food truck, located at the café. It was fabulous!
The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home, is a National Historic Landmark and cultural center dedicated to the intellectual, artistic, and humanitarian legacy of Edith Wharton (1862- 1937), one of America’s greatest authors. The Mount presents Wharton’s life and achievements through thematic tours of her house and gardens. The gardens and trails are open free to the public year round from dawn to dusk.
“Nightwood” runs through January 4th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and select weekdays at The Mount, located at 2 Plunkett Street in Lenox. Tickets are $27 for adults, $12 for youth ages 13 to 18, and free for children ages 12 and under. Reservations are required. Tickets and more information can be found online. To book a golf cart ride or for more information about accessibility, call 413-551-5100.
