Green Space Dark Skies: The team of artists working with local communities to bring events to life

Green Space Dark Skies, produced by Walk the Plank and commissioned by UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, has revealed the artists who will bring Scotland's August events to life!

Article Source: UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK
Last Updated: 4 August 2022 10:36

Thousands of people across the UK have been recruited to create large-scale interactive artworks in 20 of the UK’s most outstanding landscapes for Green Space Dark Skies - a participatory series of outdoor arts events forming part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, from April to September 2022.

The artworks 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 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 available to watch for free on Green Space Dark Skies website after the event. Lumenators will also be encouraged to share their own connections to the landscape and the local areas as part of their involvement through Green Space Stories - a citizen science project to find out what people think of the landscape in 2022.

Green Space Dark Skies will enable 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. The series of gatherings will celebrate the countryside as well as encouraging our responsibility to take care of it for future generations.

In Scotland, the events will take place in some of the country's most stunning locations throughout August including the Cairngorms National Park, Orkney Mainland and North Ronaldsay. The Cairngorms event on Thursday 11 August is recruiting final Lumenators to join the gathering on both land and water, using paddle boards and kayaks. Aside from creating the choreographed movements in the evening, Lumenators will have exclusive access to a packed daytime programme of outdoor activities from live music and storytelling workshops to VR experiences and water sports lessons. Participants can register individually or as a group here to be a part of this unique project.

Music Directors Kapil Seshasayee and Willie Campbell (The Dalmar Chorus) will work with local musicians in each area to write soundtracks for the films, influenced by their participation in local workshops and their own experiences of the landscapes and communities. The Dalmar Chorus, formed by Willie Campbell (Isle of Lewis, Western Isles and Outer Hebrides) and Scottish-Indian artist Kapil Seshasayee (Glasgow), was originally commissioned to write songs for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance ‘Common Ground Festival’ at COP26. They have since continued to perform together, writing songs that echo those same sentiments, covering subjects such as climate change and creating a better society.
Willie Campbell says: “Green Space Dark Skies is interesting, ambitious and a really exciting opportunity for us to do something new. Working with Kapil is always a pleasure, and Dalmar Chorus is delighted to take part in this amazing project with the creative people involved.”

Scottish Film Director, Rupert Shanks will document all the events, turning them into short films for each location.
Rupert is driven by moments of wonder and his mission is to share that feeling. The natural world and people’s reactions to it are a great source of inspiration for him but, more than this, he is energised by anyone with a passion whose story he can share.
Shanks says “My feeling is to create something that is both atmospheric and personal. I want to convey the character and history of the locations - possibly through spoken word and music. Visually, I’d like to accompany this with landscapes and details that make the location unmistakable. Alongside this, I want to share the intimate reactions of those present as they connect with the landscape and each other."

The project’s Lighting Director, Nich Smith, is the design director behind Nich Smith Lighting Design (NSLD) - an award-winning, independent lighting design studio in Glasgow. NSLD has evolved from lighting works, based predominantly in arts and entertainment, to a fully-fledged lighting design studio working across architecture, arts, landscape, urbanism, culture, heritage and design.
Nich Smith is the author of the lighting section of the Glasgow Public Realm Design And Maintenance Guide. He has over 30 years’ experience in lighting. NSLD designs are visually stunning and creative yet practical, sustainable and maintainable.

Writer Merryn Glover was the first Writer-in-Residence at Cairngorms National Park and is behind the Storylands Sessions - music and storytelling workshops - alongside musician Hamish Napier. She is an award-winning, published writer of fiction, drama, poetry and BBC radio plays. A qualified English and Drama teacher, she also has extensive experience of community arts. For Green Space Dark Skies, Merryn will be leading workshops and collecting words inspired by people, nature and place from the local community in different languages (Scots, Gaelic, English and other languages) to create text for the film soundtrack. She will engage groups including Cairngorm Wild Swimmers and Colourful Heritage, which highlights South Asian presence in Scotland.

Movement Coordinator Jo Davies, from Just Dance Orkney, started dancing at the age of four and is trained in a wide range of styles. Jo has toured Scotland and was selected as a dancer for the Commonwealth Games Handover Ceremony 2010. She represented the Royal Academy of Dance in the live broadcast of the Parade for the Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations. Jo’s choreography work includes local productions of musicals which feature her talented pupils, and she has also choreographed numerous pantomimes and cabaret shows.

Helping Jo at the Cairngorms project, Heather Cooney gained her Msc in Dance Movement Psychotherapy at Queen Margaret University during which time she also performed in and co-created the opening ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics. First brought to the Highlands on a one-year contract with Eden Court Creative as a dance development worker, she founded The Cairngorm School of Dance in 2014, and opened their Aviemore studio in 2019.

Emily Dodds, the project’s Workshop Leader, is a storyteller and science spoken word artist with an Msc in Communicating Science underpinning her work. She has developed and delivered education programmes for the Scottish Seabird Centre, Edinburgh International Science Festival, National Museums Scotland and Our Dynamic Earth and will now work with Lumenators at Green Space Dark Skies Scottish events.

Emily is also a CBeebies screenwriter and author of over 20 fiction and non-fiction books including ‘Can’t-Dance-Cameron: A Scottish Capercaillie Story’, set in the Cairngorms, and ‘Surfing the Moon’’ about a boy with autism who learns to surf and has a love for the moon. Her mental health themed radio play ‘Black Holes and Hot Chocolate’, about a mother and son stargazing together, was broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

Participants will also be able to experience Scotland’s natural beauty in a bold and dynamic new way, thanks to an exciting collaboration from coders, musicians, graphic designers, and filmmakers. Miro CoLabs - a British AR/VR collective - will immerse Lumenators in bespoke virtual-reality concerts which combine live music and virtual landscapes for performances which are guaranteed to engage all the senses.

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.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Fife News

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

Introducing The Kithmore: St Andrews New Boutique Hotel

The Marram Collection today announced that the Ardgowan Hotel on Playfair Terrace, St Andrews will be renamed The Kithmore, following an extensive £7.5 million transformation.

A chance to play in charity pro am golf tournament with some Scottish PGA professionals

Scotscraig Golf Club is “teeing” up a charity pro-am tournament for The Archie Foundation, that will give golfers the chance to play alongside the country’s leading professional golfers.

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!

New work premiering at the East Neuk Festival

This year, to celebrate its landmark 20th anniversary, the East Neuk Festival has commissioned four new pieces of work which will premiere this week.

Sixty artists open their studios to public for Largo Arts Week

Sixty artists open their studios to public as summer festival kicks off in Fife’s “Robinson Crusoe” village of Lower Largo.

Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!

July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!

Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.

Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scotland's hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened!

25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.

Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Tickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.

Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

The paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.

Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM

Scottish Building Society marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing funding to support eight local charities and good causes across the country.

Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores

Visitors are invited to come along and get up-close to some amazing cars, set against the beautiful backdrop of Loch Lomond, as part of a great day out.

Paws, play and heritage on parade

Bark by popular demand, the Gordon Setter Parade returns on Saturday 5th July as part of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, held at the stunning Scone Palace.

Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party

Dobbies Garden Centres are inviting families across the UK along to its stores on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of June to spend a magical afternoon filled with fun activities and good food.

Jazz artist Euan Stevenson to close eclectic weekend of live gigs at East Neuk Festival

Scottish pianist, composer and arranger Euan Stevenson returns to East Neuk Festival next month for an afternoon performance of jazz classics.

How to train your Dad in 4DX Cineworld enlists Gerard Butler

Cineworld is launching a brand new 4DX Father's Day gift experience, containing two 4DX tickets and ponchos, perfect for experiencing the new live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" film.

Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Rose-themed Grow How workshop this June, sharing top tips for caring for this beloved flowering plant.

Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open

Scotland's longest-running hospitality awards turn 30 - and they want you to have your say!

Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!

Loch Lomond Unplugged, our FREE showcase of talented buskers and singer/songwriters, is this weekend and we’re super excited to welcome great acts from across Scotland and beyond!

Dig into summer fun at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting children to come along to its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club, taking place across the country this June.

Aldi to gift year supply of free beer to biggest beer lover in Scotland

Aldi Scotland is on the hunt for the nation's biggest beer lover, as it revamps its popular Best Home Bar Competition by expanding the criteria.

Popular Listings

Adam Smith Theatre Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline Carnegie Hall Corn Exchange Cupar Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy Lochgelly Centre PJ Molloys Rothes Halls Teasses Estate The Byre Theatre St Andrews

Green Space Dark Skies: The team of artists working with local communities to bring events to life

Green Space Dark Skies, produced by Walk the Plank and commissioned by UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, has revealed the artists who will bring Scotland's August events to life!

Sponsored Links

Latest Fife News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings