Findhorn Bay Arts unveils Source to Sea summer programme to celebrate Moray's waters for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21
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FINDHORN Bay Arts will unleash a wave of creativity along Moray's coastline this summer as part of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21.
The arts organisation received £27,000 of Scottish Government funding for its "Source to Sea" programme of events and activities all designed to celebrate the Moray Firth coastline.
Between July to September, its plans include a floating kinetic water organ on the River Findhorn and Findhorn Bay; a larger-than-life sea goddess, STORM, coming ashore at Burghead to tell the story of our oceans in crisis; and an interactive installation of images and sound for which artists worked with 75 residents across Moray to install pinhole cameras in their houses and gardens to capture a single long-exposure image over four months.
A host of visual poetry performances, walks, talks and tours will also take place on and around Moray's waters. Many of the events are free.
Walks will be guided by naturalist Eleanor Foster, from local environmental education charity Wild Things, and Findhorn Bay Arts’ artist Rachael Forbes, on which people can learn more about the ecology, geology and wildlife of Moray’s coast and rivers. The duo will draw participants' awareness to the sounds, sights and smells on walks at Spey Bay, Garmouth, Findhorn, Culbin, Burghead and Cummingston.
Artist Mark Zygadlo’s colourful kinetic WaterOrgan will float on the River Findhorn, next to Logie Steading, from July 24-31 and move to Findhorn Bay on August 1. Mark's pipe organ, on the deck of a catamaran, is pumped by a paddle wheel driven by the river’s flow, gathering data from the river through electronic sensors and processed into sound sequences played by the organ.
Coleman & Hodges will mark the culmination of their Findhorn Bay Arts residency with their free evocative installation, Northern Exposures, from August 6-8, at the James Milne Institute, in Findhorn. The long-exposure images capture the landscapes of Cullen, Burghead, Forres and Elgin and the sun’s journey across the sky as a reminder that everything we see is in motion through space and time.
Meanwhile, STORM, Edinburgh-based Vision Mechanics' 10-metre tall giant puppet, who "lives in the waters around Scotland and has a voice like the chorus of the waves", will walk on land at Burghead on September 11 and then in Nairn on September 12 as part of the Nairn Book and Arts Festival.
Kresanna Aigner, creative director at Findhorn Bay Arts, said: "We are so delighted to finally be able to announce details of Source to Sea, our long-awaited celebration of Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21.
"With something for all ages to enjoy, Source to Sea is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and appreciate Moray’s rich culture, heritage and environment.
"Above all, we want to ensure that all these events can be enjoyed in a Covid-safe way, so please keep an eye on our website and social media for all the latest updates, tickets, registration and information."
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said: "Findhorn Bay Arts has, over a number of years now, delivered exciting and innovative events that have celebrated the very best of Moray’s culture and heritage.
"I’m delighted that they’ve secured Scottish Government funding for their Source to Sea programme of events that will run this summer and that will showcase Moray’s iconic rivers and coastlines.
"Findhorn Bay Arts play a huge role in Moray’s developing and promoting arts and culture locally and, after what has been a difficult year for artists, I’m excited to see these kind of events returning."
Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth added: "I am delighted that Findhorn Bay Arts are running the Source to Sea programme of events through the summer, celebrating Moray’s coasts and waters and giving people the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate Moray’s culture and heritage.
"We are assisting the programme by providing £27,000 in funding to Findhorn Bay Arts, through the Year of Coasts and Waters Open Events Fund. This funding will help towards the reopening of our culture sector, a vital part of our recovery from the pandemic, and ensures that local organisations, businesses and artists are at the heart of it."
Findhorn Bay Arts has also now opened up its summer mini-market three days a week from its base on Forres High Street, selling local produce from Moray growers, makers and producers, as well as tickets for Source to Sea.
To see the full programme, buy tickets and register for free events visit www.findhornbayarts.com.
