Rainbows of colour and intriguing art installations open to the public today as Spectra – Aberdeen’s Festival of Lights comes alive in the city.
Union Terrace Gardens, St Nicholas Kirk, Marischal College and the Seventeen centre in Belmont Street will all be playing their part in the four-day exhibition.
Swirling effects of light, fiery water fountains and a giant illuminated picture book are promised in the gardens off Union Terrace.
Meanwhile booming greens and reds will light up St Nicholas Kirkyard with labyrinths leading the way to a digital choir – inspired by stories of singers from South Iceland.
Twelve screens are placed around the room, with each member of the choir performing solo, drawing from their own stories, including tunes remembered from childhood.
Across town a striking new projection artwork will light up Mitchell Hall and has been commissioned specifically for the festival.
Face of Innovation recognises the major Scottish innovators, including Aberdeen astronomer David Gill and Aberdonian opera singer Mary Garden.
Steven McConnachie of Double Take Projections enjoyed researching the project.
He said: “It’s all about incorporating innovation in a fun way that hopefully starts asking some questions of people when they leave, and to want to learn more about the innovators.” Andy Brydon, is director of Curated Place, which has been working with Aberdeen City Council to hold the event.
“This year we wanted to expand out of Union Terrace Gardens, building on the successes that we had there last year,” he said.
“We have focused interactive and family activity down there and in the kirkyard we wanted to make a more meditative space, and something that is pushed a bit more by an artist agenda, of a slightly gentler style of art that allows people to stop and think.”
The free festival runs until February 14 and is open from 6.30pm each day.
Social enterprise dance group Inverted Aberdeen will be launching the festival with a performance in Union Terrace Gardens at 6.30pm tonight.