A new commission from Forth Rivers Trust is on the way. As part of the RiverLife project, Morvern Odling and I are working on creating a series of permanent public artworks in West Lothian which celebrate the installation of three new fish passes on the River Almond. The works will be co-designed and co-produced by participants of all ages and backgrounds on creative workshops, many of whom have close connections to the river.
Initially we set out to explore the river landscape through a series of Explorer Walks with participants embarking on a series of artistic exercises based on the sights, sounds and smells of the environment. Following on from these we have been experimenting with cyanotypes, using them to describe the vast array of wildlife that lives in the River Almond. The results are stunning – Morvern and I have been delighted watching people experiment and push the limits of this beautiful technique.
It's been incredibly rewarding to work alongside people who have so much knowledge and care for the river. From the staff at Forth Rivers Trust who have shared amazing insights into the rich river ecosystem to participants who grew up exploring the pools and streams, looking out for tadpoles, herons and otters. Everyone has entered into the creative process with an amazing openness and generosity and the project continues to evolve week by week. Keep an eye on twitter and Instagram to keep up to date on our progress.
Our work will continue into the new year when we will begin to bring together the different elements into an initial design for the artwork.