Article Source: UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK
Last Updated: 16 August 2022 13:17
Thursday 11th August saw hundreds of nature-lovers descend on Cairngorms National Park to participate in one of 20 mass gatherings happening across the UK for Green Space Dark Skies, part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, from April to September 2022. The remote Highland location, which is host to the first of the events taking place in Scotland, was chosen due to its unparalleled natural beauty which was a key focus of the celebrations.
The once-in-a-lifetime experience began at lunchtime and brought together hundreds of “Lumenators” to take part in talks, walks, workshops, and watersports before carrying handheld Geolights on kayaks, paddleboards and the shores of Loch Insh to create a large-scale artwork. Water Lumenators portrayed galaxies and shooting stars - a creative commentary on Scotland’s space exploration successes - while land Lumenators formed wave movements representing renewable energy. Although the exact location was kept secret from the public to protect the landscape, the magical moment - captured by Scottish Film Director Rupert Shanks - will soon be available to watch as a short film for free on the Green Space Dark Skies website.
The project aimed to go beyond celebrating nature, towards education about how we can come together to protect it. With this in mind, Lumenators were engaged in a full day of activities that nurtured community connections as well as connection to the landscape. Forest bathing and raft building provided participants with opportunities to make memories outdoors, and the local produce BBQ that followed gave guests a flavour of what the Cairngorms’ culinary artisans have to offer.
The schedule of activities was brought together by Green Space Dark Skies, produced by Walk the Plank in collaboration with a range of local organisations including RSPB, Visit Cairngorms and John Muir Trust. The programme was then delivered with help from Equal Adventure and Cairngorms National Park Rangers, among others, to ensure that the experience engaged groups who normally face physical or cultural barriers to accessing nature.
A workshop was held by award-winning writer, and Cairngorms National Park’s first Artist-in-Residence, Merryn Glover which paid homage to Scotland’s long history of language and storytelling. Exploring narratives from community groups All Nations Sports Arts Recreation (ASNAR) and the Colourful Heritage Project, Merryn facilitated a greater understanding about the significant - yet little known - contribution of the South Indian and Muslim soldiers who fought bravely alongside Scots in the Second World War.
Merryn says: “it’s been so fantastic to see some of the folk that had been in our workshops in June and who wrote a song with us from their experience of the loch and having these people come back and to sing that song in the spirit of celebration with Willie Campbell, everyone has a sense that this National Park belongs to them too, no matter where you come from – it’s been wonderful.”
Throughout the day at Ptarmigan Dome - dressed by local visual artist Claire MacDonald - British music collective Miro Shot immersed Lumenators in bespoke virtual-reality concerts which combined live music and virtual landscapes for performances which engaged all the senses. Participants were able to experience Scotland in a bold and dynamic new way, thanks to collaboration from coders, musicians, graphic designers, and filmmakers.
Outdoor lovers can still be part of Green Space Dark Skies by registering to be a Lumenator at the Ben Nevis event on Saturday 10 September. Ben Nevis will be the Scottish location in the programme's finale series which will be broadcast as part of a BBC Countryfile Special later this year. Sign up by yourself or as a group here to be part of this unique experience to create light-based artworks on Scotland's highest mountain.
Green Space Dark Skies goes beyond creative ambition, with sustainability goals guiding the projects including having a carbon-net-positive* impact on the 20 chosen outdoor spaces and leaving no trace.
*The Green Space Dark Skies team is measuring and balancing 100% of its unavoidable Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. The team 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.
Siemens worked with Walk the Plank and Core Lighting to develop the groundbreaking technology used to create the low impact Geolights with built-in GPS allowing for the colour and intensity to be changed remotely.
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 MORESummerlee Museum of Industrial life welcomed its four millionth visitor since opening its doors in 1988.
READ MOREAmazonia, Scotland's popular temperature controlled tropical indoor forest, has launched a new butterfly experience.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORECalling 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 MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, 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 MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREM&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 MORELanark Amateur Musical Society (LAMS) have raised £1000 for Cancer Research UK as part of their 2024 charity partnership.
READ MOREAirdrie Town Hall will reopen in April as an entertainment and arts venue, following its use in recent years by NHS Lanarkshire.
READ MOREBothwell Castle, one of medieval Scotland's most outstanding monuments, has reopened to visitors.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin 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 MORENoughties 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 MOREGP 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 MOREDobbies 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 MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREThis 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 MOREA 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 MOREFrom 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 MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREAnd The Birds Did Sing, presented by Curious Seed, will be arriving in Cumbernauld on Thursday 26th March, for one performance.
READ MORELEADING 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 MORECentre stage will be the unveiling of a new ride – the Air Raid - a thrill ride that will take you to your limits!
READ MOREFull 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 MOREDobbies 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 MOREA 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 MOREThe 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 MORELanark Amateur Musical Society (LAMS) have announced Sunshine on Leith as their 45th anniversary production in March 2025.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"