Green Space Dark Skies announces Orkney Mainland and North Ronaldsay as new event locations

Green Space Dark Skies, led by Walk the Plank as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, has announcing two new locations for this unique project.

Article Source: Green Space Dark Skies
Last Updated: 28 June 2022 10:12

ORKNEY (MAINLAND & NORTH RONALDSAY) AND CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK WILL FORM THE BACKDROP TO MASS PARTICIPATION ARTWORKS IN SCOTLAND

Green Space Dark Skies, led by Walk the Plank as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, is today announcing two new locations for this unique project. Thousands of people across the UK, including over 1000 people in Scotland, are being recruited to create large-scale outdoor artworks for Green Space Dark Skies in 20 of the UK’s most outstanding landscapes between April to September 2022.

In Scotland, the events will take place in some of the country's most stunning locations including the Cairngorms National Park, Orkney, and North Ronaldsay.

The gatherings will be created at dusk by local participants, referred to as Lumenators. They will be guided along pathways or waterways carrying smart lights that will enable digital choreography to be captured on film, while also being sensitive to the night-time environment. Each short film will incorporate the stories of the people and places featured and will be broadcast online after the event. Lumenators, as well as the general public are also encouraged to share their own connections to the landscape through Green Space Stories, a citizen science project to create an online archive of stories detailing our relationship to nature in 2022.

Developed by graduate engineers at Siemens specially for this project, the hand-held lighting technology, called Geolights, carried by participants uses existing wireless programmable lights and incorporates something that's never been done before: the ability for the lights to be animated through geo-positioning, whereby the position of each light can be known in relationship to the others.

Orkney mainland - 20 August
Local residents in Orkney are invited to become Lumenators in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of this interactive work of art. Lumenators will gather at dusk to form shapes central to local folklore and mythologies.

To sign up for the Orkney Islands event click - here

North Ronaldsay - 16 August
Residents of the small island of North Ronaldsay (by invite only) are to participate in this unique event, creating images of astronomical symbols and constellations which will celebrate the island’s Dark Sky Award.

Cairngorms National Park - 11 August
This event will be taking place both on water and on land. Paddleboarders and kayakers will help to create patterns on the loch. Paddleboarders and kayakers are encouraged to bring their own equipment if they have a paddleboard or a kayak, otherwise there will be equipment available for Lumenators to use on the day.

To sign up for Cairngorms National Park event click - here

To protect these amazing places, the exact locations will only be revealed to the people who have registered to take part. There will be no spectators, but anyone can take part for free as long as they sign up in advance.
Event producer, Walk the Plank is working directly with the authorities who are responsible for the conservation of each location to create the events for Green Space Dark Skies.

Green Space Dark Skies is enabling people from all walks of life to forge new connections with the countryside by supporting those who face cultural and physical barriers to experience our iconic landscapes. These gatherings are celebrating the countryside as well as encouraging our responsibility to take care of it for future generations.

Green Space Dark Skies places environmental and social sustainability at the heart of its design and delivery; highlighting the value of the natural environment as a core purpose and delivering significant measurable positive impact. The project is working with a diverse group of partners to ensure that each event throughout the UK is implemented with the greatest care and precautions to protect the environment and communities of the locations. With a track record of experience in managing large-scale public events, Walk the Plank aims to bring people from all different backgrounds together to enrich lives through shared creative experiences.

Keren McKean, Walk the Plank’s Producer for Scotland says, “Scotland’s landscapes are rich, unique and diverse. The country’s dramatic backdrop is globally recognised and attracts millions of tourists per year, but often local people and people from particular communities can feel like the great outdoors isn’t for them. Green Space Dark Skies is about engaging with communities and encouraging people to feel connected to the land, to enjoy it and to protect it.”

The Green Space Dark Skies team is working with Dark Skies representatives in many locations to explore how the project might highlight the value of minimising light pollution in our towns, cities and rural landscapes to support wildlife to flourish.

John Wassell Creative Producer UK, Walk the Plank says, “The moment when darkness falls, and we switch the lights off, is going to be the most important collective act of connection between people and nature within each event”.

Green Space Dark Skies is one of 10 major creative projects commissioned by UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, a celebration of creativity taking place across the UK in 2022, designed to reach millions and bring people together. UNBOXED features free large-scale events, installations and globally accessible digital experiences in the UK’s most ambitious showcase of creative collaboration.

Martin Green CBE, Chief Creative Officer of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK said, “UNBOXED is the result of collaborations across science, technology, engineering, arts and maths that share an ambition to find new solutions and present optimistic ideas for the future.

“Green Space Dark Skies perfectly demonstrates the innovation and creativity seen throughout the UNBOXED projects. By bringing together artists, engineers, and members of the public in the creation of unique experiences, it will enhance people’s understanding of our natural environment and relationship to the countryside and show the power of creativity to bring about change.”

John Scott, Chair North Ronaldsay Trust says: "North Ronaldsay is thrilled to be involved in this innovative project working with light and place. Our event will take place on nearly our first-year anniversary of being awarded the designation of a Dark Skies Island from the International Dark Skies Association which honours our dark nights. The use of light art is very apt, as the darkness here makes light so much more intense, be it the stars of the milky way flowing over our heads, the merry dancers in the north or the beams from the Denishead lighthouse raking across our tiny low-lying island."

Events have already taken place in the Peak District, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Dorset, the Norfolk Broads, Lagan Valley, the Sperrins and Gower. Forthcoming events across the UK are:

● England: The Chilterns AONB (15 July).
● Northern Ireland: Causeway Coast AONB (2 July).
● Scotland: Cairngorms National Park (11 August); North Ronaldsay (16 August); and Orkney (20 August).
● Wales: Brecon Beacons National Park (6 July); and Anglesey (6 August).

Green Space Dark Skies is a carbon net-positive project* combining exemplar low-emissions production with climate investments.

*The Green Space Dark Skies project is measuring and balancing 100% of its unavoidable Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. The project also acknowledges its Scope 3 emissions and the complexity associated with calculating these and is working hard to rise to the challenge with its stakeholders.

UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK is funded and supported by the four governments of the UK and is commissioned and delivered in partnership with Belfast City Council, Creative Wales and EventScotland.

Listings information
UNBOXED events in Scotland include:
Dandelion (across Scotland, April to September), Dreamachine (Edinburgh Dates 13 Aug-25 Sep), Green Space Dark Skies (across Scotland, April to September 2022), and StoryTrails (Dundee 7-8 July and Dumfries 12-13 July).

Green Space Dark Skies part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK
23 April – 30 September 2022
To take part in Green Space Dark Skies register at https://greenspacedarkskies.uk/get-involved/
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK
1 March – 2 October 2022
Unboxed2022.uk

Photo credit: Sands of Evie, Visit Scotland, Paul Tomkins

Sponsored Links

Latest Lanarkshire News

Scot no loyalties: Glasgow and Aberdeen rank top cities to skip anniversary with a partner to watch sports

34.2 million Brits admit to ditching work and responsibilities for sporting events.

READ MORE

Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.

READ MORE

Summerlee celebrates four millionth visitor

Summerlee Museum of Industrial life welcomed its four millionth visitor since opening its doors in 1988.

READ MORE

Spread your wings with new butterfly experience at Amazonia

Amazonia, Scotland's popular temperature controlled tropical indoor forest, has launched a new butterfly experience.

READ MORE

New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle

Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.

READ MORE

Topgolf Glasgow to host live Masters watch party

Calling all golfers! Topgolf Glasgow is hosting 'The Final Round – Live' on Sunday 14th April, it's an unmissable event to celebrate golf's most prestigious tournament!

READ MORE

Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.

READ MORE

Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience

Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.

READ MORE

POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores

This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.

READ MORE

Meet your favourite superheroes at M&Ds

M&D's is to host a free weekend for comic fans and movie buffs at Scotland's Theme Park with the chance to meet a packed line-up of favourite characters!

READ MORE

Lanark Amateur Musical Society raise a thousand pounds for their 2024 charity partner

Lanark Amateur Musical Society (LAMS) have raised £1000 for Cancer Research UK as part of their 2024 charity partnership.

READ MORE

Airdrie Town Hall to reopen with exciting entertainment lineup for 2024

Airdrie Town Hall will reopen in April as an entertainment and arts venue, following its use in recent years by NHS Lanarkshire.

READ MORE

Bothwell Castle reopens to visitors

Bothwell Castle, one of medieval Scotland's most outstanding monuments, has reopened to visitors.

READ MORE

Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.

READ MORE

Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes

Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.

READ MORE

Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours

Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!

READ MORE

Playsport in East Kilbride is set to welcome a new state of the art racing simulator centre GP Racing Simulators

GP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.

READ MORE

Free activities this Easter at Dobbies

Dobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.

READ MORE

Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations

The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.

READ MORE

Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!

This year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.

READ MORE

Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue

A host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.

READ MORE

Tee up a Hoppy Easter Half Term for all the Family at Topgolf Glasgow

From an Easter Egg-stravaganza on Easter Sunday to high-tech golf games suitable for all the family, Topgolf Glasgow is a must-visit destination during the half-term break.

READ MORE

A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival

Spring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!

READ MORE

Double billed award winning dance theatre show involving Cumbernauld youth talent, prepares to take the stage at Lanternhouse

And The Birds Did Sing, presented by Curious Seed, will be arriving in Cumbernauld on Thursday 26th March, for one performance.

READ MORE

Energy leaders to host open day for local community

LEADING UK renewable energy developer, OnPath Energy (formerly Banks Renewables), is set to host an open day for community grant funding generated by a nearby wind farm.

READ MORE

M&Ds will host a special Preview Weekend to launch their new season!

Centre stage will be the unveiling of a new ride – the Air Raid - a thrill ride that will take you to your limits!

READ MORE

National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me

Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!

READ MORE

Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative

Dobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.

READ MORE

Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

A sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

READ MORE

Easter fun for every bunny with the National Trust For Scotland

The National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links