Stephen Cripps's Unrealized Mechanical Garden Reimagined in Dilston Grove Installation

At Dilston Grove, The Mechanical Garden installation was crafted by Ben Burgis, Stuart Middleton, and Richard Sides, under the curation of Naomi Pearce. This work reinterprets a concept by British artist Stephen Cripps (1952–82). Inside the former church, a network of debris, mattresses, and waste surrounds an artificial pond situated at the altar. Visitors can relax on makeshift seating while experiencing a sound piece by Alice Hattrick, which features interviews, construction noises, and inputs from Z'EV and Steven Warwick. An essay by Patrick Langley explores the history of gardens, while Hattrick shares recollections from Cripps's acquaintances. The Woodmill group is searching for a new venue. This installation juxtaposes Cripps's functional art with discarded materials, evoking a dystopian narrative.