Five senses: an open-air sculpture park between vineyards and wineries

Being Danish and having lived most of my life in Asia, while my wife is Chinese but studied and worked in Australia, we always wanted a global collection. We love the confrontation with artists from different cultures. We do not have a curator, because we believe that choosing works is one of the most beautiful parts of collecting. Of course, we work with trusted advisors and gallerists, but the final selection is always our own.

Un ritratto di Mei e Allan Warburg. Alexander Rubin Photography

DONUM ESTATE UNITS TWO GREAT PASSIONS: WINE AND CONTEMPORARY ART. WHAT WAS THE INITIAL VISION BEHIND THE CREATION OF THE SCULPTURE PARK?

From the beginning, the idea was that 1+1 does not always make 2, but sometimes much more. When you place a work of art in a magnificent landscape and contemplate it while sipping a good wine, the experience becomes something unique and unforgettable. This is at the heart of the Donum project.

“Captured Rhino” (2012), di Li Hui. ©Robert Berg

MANY OF DONUM'S WORKS ARE SITE-SPECIFIC. WHAT ROLE DOES THE LANDSCAPE PLAY IN YOUR CHOICES?

A fundamental role. For site-specific works, we discuss at length with the artists how best to integrate them into the natural context. Even for existing sculptures, the first step is always to find the perfect fit in the landscape.

AFTER VISITING DONUM, I NOTED HOW HARMONIOUSLY ART, NATURE AND WINE COexist. HOW DO YOU CARE FOR THIS BALANCE?

I think the secret is complementarity: art, nature and wine enhance each other. A similar experience can be found at Castello di Ama in Tuscany, although there the central element is the ancient village, while we focus on bringing out the vastness of the landscape.

“The Care of Oneself” (2017), di Elmgreen & Dragset. ©Shawn Corrigan

How do you envision the future of DONUM? WILL YOU EXPAND THE COLLECTION BEYOND SCULPTURE?

We always tell ourselves to slow down, but then we get enthusiastic and go ahead: we will continue to develop the Donum project. A Bangladeshi collector once told me: 'Collecting is like the Hotel California: you can get in, but you can't get out! At Donum, we try to involve all the senses: sight with art and landscape, smell with lavender and the aromas of the vines, touch with the experience of wine and artworks, hearing with birdsong and the wind among the plants, and finally taste with our organic wines and local cuisine. Returning to hearing, we began to explore the relationship between art and music. Doug Aitken made Sonic Mountain to be played by the wind, while Yang Bao created Hyperspace, a sculpture accompanied by an endless soundtrack. My wife plays the guqin, an ancient Chinese instrument, and some of her pieces have been included in Yang Bao's compositions. We have been thinking a lot about how to integrate music into the Donum experience and we will definitely start experimenting with small concerts and other musical initiatives.

“Held by Desire (The Dimensions of Freedom)”, 2017–18, di Marc Quinn. ©Robert Berg

WHAT ARE THE PLACES NOT TO BE MISSED IN YOUR REGION?

Among museums, I highly recommend the SF MoMA, the de Young Museum and the Asian Art Museum, three extraordinary institutions that offer cultural experiences of the highest level. As for hospitality, I suggest staying at the Stanly Ranch or the Montage Healdsburg, two excellent hotels with excellent in-house restaurants. If you want an unforgettable dining experience, it is worth dining at Single Thread in Healdsburg. Finally, for those who love nature and outdoor walks, I recommend visiting Hendy Woods State Park, Humboldt Redwoods State Park or Muir Woods, where you can admire majestic giant sequoias.