Spectra, known as Scotland's 'festival of light', has made its long-awaited return Aberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens.
The festival will feature four nights of spectacular projections, interactive sculptures, and magical installations across the city centre. With a theme of 'Home', the gardens and city centre have been transformed with light, sound, and eye-catching visual art.
Union Terrace Gardens will once again act as a main venue for the event after recently reopening following a major redevelopment. Spectra marks the first major event to take place in the historic public space since its three-year, multi-million pound regeneration that began in 2019.
Bringing work from some of the world’s leading visual artists, studios, and companies to Aberdeen, Spectra will feature world premieres of newly-commissioned art that draws inspiration from the city in different ways.
Among these is The Waxwing Wanes, which is described as"a striking fusion of light and music that celebrates one of Aberdeen’s most unique claims to fame. Aberdeen is considered the ‘Waxwing Capital’ of the UK for its consistent year-on-year sightings of the visiting Scandinavian bird, and the work "offers a visually spectacular musing on our changing climate".
Elsewhere, Nøkken draws inspiration from the shared folklore of Scotland and the Nordic countries, summoning a "gargantuan, shape-shifting monster from the inky depths for a massive, mischievous, musical projection". World premieres also include a live performance from the local Fusion Youth Dance Company, and new animated work by artist Vincent James and local young people titled Home Fronts.
Other highlights of Spectra include the first Scottish appearance of Parer Studio’s Fantastic Planet, in which towering humanoid figures descend upon different city centre locations, and Illumaphonium, which "promises to bring people together with a fun and spontaneous outdoor music-making experience".
Meanwhile, Circa is a three-dimensional light sculpture soundtracked by Joe Acheson of Hidden Orchestra exploring circadian rhythms and seasonal light levels, and Nature Nocturnal sees "incredible illuminated plants, insects and wildlife transform the slopes of the beautifully renovated gardens, allowing visitors to experience the nocturnal natural world in a luminous lantern walk in a gently dazzling kaleidoscope of colour".
Councillor Martin Greig, culture spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council, said: “It's wonderful to see this year's Spectra festival begin with audiences of all ages arriving to enjoy the beautiful, illuminating programme of artworks and events over the coming days.
"Spectra has grown to become a world-class event that helps to showcase the very best of Aberdeen, from heritage to hospitality, for thousands of residents and visitors alike, and we're grateful to the many artists, support staff, and volunteers whose hard work helps to make the festival possible. I'm very much looking forward to seeing people come together into the city centre to take joy in this spectacular programme over the coming days."
Spectra is owned and commissioned by Aberdeen City Council and produced by Curated Place. More information can be found on its official website.
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