Sculpture park comes to virtual life for fans of Minecraft and art

Sculpture park Jupiter Artland has been recreated in Minecraft, allowing people to explore it virtually even if they are unable to visit.

The park, in West Lothian, features works by artists including Sir Antony Gormley, Sir Anish Kapoor, Charles Jencks and Ian Hamilton Finlay over 100 acres.

The sculptures have been recreated in Minecraft, the video game that allows players to build using blocks, in a virtual world which is opening again as the park prepares to reopen to local members today and to local visitors from April 5.

Players can explore the site virtually in the Minecraft Artland and build their own creations outside the gates, while a competition is running to design a sculpture which will be given a permanent place in the digital park. Eleanor Edmondson, digital arts and marketing co-ordinator at Jupiter Artland, said: “It is amazing to see young people engage with the Artland in a whole new way, a little slice of Jupiter magic from home.

“Jupiter Artland in Minecraft combines the otherworldly magic of the Artland with the aesthetics of Minecraft – exceptional artworks by Antony Gormley, Anya Gallaccio, Tania Kovats and Charles Jencks have been painstakingly recreated with the Minecraft blocks.

“Emerging from a year like no other, Minecraft provides a familiar and safe platform for children to learn about art.”

The Minecraft version of Jupiter Artland was first created in 2016 but initially could only be accessed inside the park.

Jupiter Artland has been recreated in Minecraft.