Visitors can experience the drama of life inside a real beehive in this mesmerising installation. The towering 17 metres tall structure is a striking piece of contemporary art located in the heart of a wildflower meadow. It recreates the buzzing world of a real beehive at Kew, with 1,000 LED lights glowing according to the vibrations of bees that live in the Gardens. A musical symphony in the background responds to this activity, all performed in the key of C - the very key that bees buzz in!
The Hive was designed by UK based artist Wolfgang Buttress as a visual tribute to Britain's honeybees. Originally created for the UK Pavilion at the 2015 Milan Expo, it now resides in the Gardens at Kew surrounded by wildflowers to celebrate the environments that real bees need to thrive. The distinctive mesh frame of The Hive is constructed from 170,000 aluminium parts and 1,000 LED lights, making it one of the most unique features in the Gardens.
In 2016, The Hive won a Landscape Institute Award for its immersive impact. It continues to stand tall as a striking symbol of the challenges facing bees today, serving as a reminder of the importance of bees to our environment.
The activity in The Hive recreates the life of a real beehive at Kew, responding to the vibrations of bees located behind the scenes. It serves as a space to explore the secret life of bees on a human scale and celebrate their powerful role in sustaining life as we know it.
The Hive is an open-air attraction, but it may occasionally need to close for maintenance or visitor safety. Unfortunately, mobility scooters cannot be accommodated due to the restricted width of paths and interior space within The Hive. The path to The Hive is wheelchair-accessible, but the gradient may feel steep for self-propelled wheelchair users.
2024 / unitedkingdomlovers.uk
