Archived Projects

Aug 2002 to Mar 2004

Cairngorms, Inverness-shire, Highland

Cairngorms Art Initiative

Researching a range of issues from natural drainage to the need for shelter, five artists were invited to respond to the landscape of the Cairngorms and submit proposals. Each of these proposals aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and understanding the Cairngroms landscape through an engagement with visual art. This project was not conceived as a sculpture park rather as an opportunity for visual art concepts to be incorporated literally into the landscape.

This development project provided the foundation for a later implementation stage that realised the work of two artists selected from the original five.

Tagged as: Arthur Watson Commission Plan Dalziel & Scullion Elizabeth Ogilvie Highland John Maine Public art & traditional craft Winifred Lutz landscape

May 2003 to Oct 2003

Cairnhead Forest, Dumfries & Galloway

Striding Arches Commission Plan

This project can be described as a partnership between environmental art, land management and a desire to encourage public access to landscape. In this initial phase a detailed design proposal was conceived for the development of a derelict byre with extensive consultation between the artist Andy Goldsworthy, the community and the environmental organisation, Solway Heritage. Proposals were also created for a series of “arches” artworks to be sited on key hill tops. These arches would indicate a circular route on the edge of the forest and lead to the byre.

Tagged as: Andy Goldsworthy Commission Plan Dumfries & Galloway landscape

Jul 2000 to Mar 2002

Kemnay Quarry, Aberdeenshire

Place of Origin (Phase 2)

Phase 2 “Place of Origin” capitalized on opportunities developed from Phase 1. Waste-ground between a man-made hill and the Kemnay Quarry had been designated community woodland and the idea was for artists to influence the design of the community woodland making a bold link between the village and the quarry. This project was not so much about placing art in the landscape as shaping the landscape to allow the land to be the art, allowing enjoyment and different interpretations to continue in the future. The artists were working collaboratively with various professionals and the community developing a meanngful working practice that evolved with the project.

Tagged as: Aberdeenshire Brad Goldberg Collaborative Glen Onwin John Maine Public art and traditional craft landscape rural

Sep 2003 to Mar 2005

West Fife Cycle Way, Fife

Art in the Travelling Landscape

Artist Graham Fagen was shortlisted to create proposals for artworks to be installed along the West Fife Cycle Way which runs between Alloa and Dunfermline.

This project was successful in securing SAC funding but for many reasons was not realised.

Tagged as: Development Project Fife Graham Fagen landscape not realised rural

Jan 2004 to Mar 2008

Cairnhead Forest, Moniave, Dumfries & Galloway

Striding Arches - Implementation

The completion of this project will see the first permanent major installation within a public landscape by Andy Goldsworthy in Scotland. The installation consists of a series of permanent sandstone arches sited in specifically chosen high points around the natural amphitheatre at the head of Cairnhead Glen. The positioning of the arches encourages visitors to experience the landscape through different routes. This network of access points is designed in parallel to the positioning of the artworks. Also being developed as part of this project is “The Byre”, an outdoor sculptural space for interpretation and orientation.

Striding Arches is a partnership project: an example of collaboration between environmental and arts agencies contributing to the culture and tourism of the region. As this project has developed, other artists have become involved in the vision of the original concept and in the delivery of workshops with the local community.

A major partner in the project was Forestry Commission Scotland with additional partners including Solway Heritage, Scottish Natural Heritage, Wee Sleekit and Mike Bolam.

Tagged as: Alec Finlay Andy Goldsworthy Dumfries & Galloway Pip Hall landscape rural

Oct 1997 to Dec 2001

Banchory, Aberdeenshire

Sculpture at Tyrebagger

Sculpture at Tyrebagger is a programme of contemporary artworks specifically commissioned for an area of Kirkhill Forest and Elrick Hill, just outside the city of Aberdeen.

The aim of the Tyrebagger project was to encourage people to look afresh at their surroundings by developing an artistic programme which recognised the character and identity of the North-East and incorporated temporary and permanent artworks – growing from and enriching the natural environment. Ten artworks were commissioned and installed in Kirkhill Forest.

Sculpture at Tyrebagger is now established as a major cultural destination for visitors to the North-East of Scotland, providing a unique local amenity and educational resource.

Tagged as: Aberdeenshire Allan Watson Anne Bevan Auke de Vries Bius (Mary Little & Peter Wheeler) Chris Drury Dalziel & Scullion Donald Urquhart Doug Cocker Elizabeth Hobbs John Aitken Keith Rand Marion Smith Sally Matthews Simon Beeson Simon Ward Vong Phaohanit landscape

Jul 2006 to Sep 2006

Glen Nevis, Highland

Fieldstation: Outlandia - Development & Feasibility

London Fieldworks Ltd proposed an international project, “Fieldstation: Outlandia”, fostering links between art and environment through the design and build of a temporary cluster of artist treehouse studios within the landscape of Glen Nevis. This particular part of the project enabled the two artists of London Fieldworks Ltd to collaborate with architects, engineers, planners and the Forestry Commission towards the design and planning stage of the treehouse studios.

Tagged as: Bruce Gilchrist Development phase Highland Jo Joelson landscape rural

Jun 1996 to Aug 1998

Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway

Galloway Forest Park

Through a programme of residencies, artists were commissioned to create contemporary works of art that celebrate the Galloway Forest and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Galloway Forest Park in 1997. This park is the largest of its type in the UK and the project demonstrates how artists can relate to rural and natural contexts.

Tagged as: Brian Birch Colin Rose Doug Cocker Dumfries & Galloway Gillian Forbes Jake Harvey Jim Buchanan John Crosbie Matt Baker Valerie Gillies artist-in-residence landscape rural

Sep 1996 to May 1997

Ben Lomand National Park, Argyll & Bute

National Memorial

This project resulted in a granite sculpture created by Doug Cocker, which sits amidst the Rowardennan landscape of the Ben Lomond National Park. The sculpture symbolises the link between the original 1950 Land Fund purchase, the commemoration of those who gave their lives during the Second World War and the permanent freedom for the nation which Ben Lomond represents. The sculpture acts as a particular focal point for the park as it frames and is framed by the landscape. The Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Honourable Donald Dewar MP officially opened the Park 11/11/1997 and unveiled the sculpture.

The SAC Officer’s Summary Report notes that “The most important aspect of the proposal is that the brief is open to interpretation and therefore it is not expected that the artist will produce a memorial in the traditionally accepted sense. Such an approach to this type of commission should be encouraged and held as an example for others wishing to commission commemorative works.”

Tagged as: Argyll & Bute Doug Cocker civic sculpture landscape

Mar 1996 to Sep 1997

Kemnay Quarry, Aberdeenshire

Place of Origin (Phase 1)

This was the first of a two phased project and was concerned with carrying out an experimental process to establish a plan for the implementation of various artworks/landforms to be ceated in any subsequent phases.

Tagged as: Aberdeenshire Brad Goldberg Glen Onwin John Maine landscape rural