Beneath the Surface: A Journey Through Earth and Mind
Di Mainstone’s Subterranean Elevator is an immersive installation inviting visitors to delve into the intertwined realms of soil and the subconscious
ChatGPT saThe Knepp Estate in West Sussex, UK, is a pioneering example of rewilding, transforming once intensively farmed land into a thriving natural ecosystem. Since the early 2000s, Knepp’s owners, Sir Charles Burrell and Isabella Tree, have allowed nature to take the lead, replacing conventional agriculture with free-roaming grazing animals such as Tamworth pigs, longhorn cattle, red deer, and Exmoor ponies. These animals mimic the natural behaviors of extinct species, shaping the landscape and promoting biodiversity.
Housed at the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum in Birkenhead until December 2025, the piece transforms a dark, elevator-shaped space into a sensory descent beneath the earth’s surface.
Upon entering, participants remove their shoes to feel soft, earth-like textures underfoot. As the ‘elevator’ begins its metaphorical descent, they are enveloped by hypnotic sounds and projected visuals, simulating a journey into subterranean depths. Di Mainstone describes this experience as “Subnosis”—a fusion of folk horror aesthetics and audiovisual mesmerism—where surreal underground creatures emerge, and neural pathways intertwine with roots, guiding visitors through an inner universe.
The installation aims to deepen our understanding of biodiversity loss and engage with the emotional landscape of the climate emergency. Commissioned through the Wirral Borough of Culture programme, Subterranean Elevator was developed in collaboration with interdisciplinary specialists, including the creative team Xyleia, who helped realize Mainstone’s ambitious vision.
This multisensory journey offers a poetic exploration of our planet’s hidden layers and the intricate connections between the environment and the human psyche.
