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Kathy Hinde’s Luminous Birds

luminous e-flyer 1.0

Stunning sonic and light installation to visit Dumfries, Dundee and Glasgow from 7 September.
The large-scale work will illuminate lanes and public places in Dumfries, Dundee and Glasgow with an animated flock of origami-style birds suspended overhead in celebration of the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016.

Composer, sonic and visual artist Kathy Hinde will be bringing her stunning sound and light installation Luminous Birds to locations across Scotland this autumn.
As a key event in the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016, the sight and sound spectacular will illuminate public spaces in Dumfries (7 September – 14 November), Dundee (12 September – 19 November) and Glasgow (16 September – 16 November) as hundreds of origami birds flock overhead.
Luminous Birds is designed and hand-crafted by Cryptic Associate artist Kathy Hinde and encourages members of the public – from commuters to day-tripping families to night owls winding their way home – to ‘look up’ and appreciate their day-to-day environment. The innovative design of the mechanical birds (created from paper, plastic and metal) will transform their surroundings using synchronised lighting and spatialised sounds that create the effect of birds flying overhead. The action of many birds, flocking together, is one of nature’s most amazing phenomena – an ultimate act of cooperation, hundreds moving together in harmony.
Im particularly excited about showing Luminous Birds in Scotland during the autumn because many birds will be on their migration passage at that time, with huge flocks of Barnacle Geese resting near Dumfries and Pink Footed Geese further north near Dundee. said Kathy about the work premiering in Scotland. I want to create the effect of birds flying just above peoples heads, through alleys and lanes right in the heart of towns and cities, highlighting some of the many beautiful aspects of bird flight, through light and sound.
Cathie Boyd, Artistic Director of Cryptic said: We are delighted to be able to show the work of Cryptic Associate Artist Kathy Hinde on such a large scale, with Dumfries and Dundee being inspiring firsts for Cryptic. We are developing dynamic relationships with new partners and communities across all three locations and further afield – encouraging everyone to come and experience this mesmerising event.
Especially for Dumfries, The Stove has commissioned musician and composer Stuart Macpherson to create an accompanying sound work and performance artwork, that will pop up during and around Kathy’s Luminous Birds. More information on Stuart’s commission coming soon!
Luminous Birds is a free, non-ticketed event, to be viewed after dark; it opens at The Globe Inn, Dumfries High Street on 7 September, with further flocks appearing at The Howff, Meadowside, Dundee on 12 September and Kingarth Lane next to Govanhill Baths, Glasgow from 16 September. Celebrating its historical design as both a water tank and dovecote, the Mackintosh Tower at Glasgow’s The Lighthouse will also host the birds from 20 September up to 8 January, encouraging visitors to journey upwards through evocative soundscapes before reaching a flock of birds fluttering and chirping in harmony at the top.
The installations will feature an accompanying free workshop programme led by Kathy Hinde, encouraging members of the local community to create their own origami birds. In Dumfries, these workshops will take place as part of Nithraid, The Stove’s annual boat race and river festival on Saturday, 3rd of September.

2 replies on “Kathy Hinde’s Luminous Birds”

Dear Ms. Hinde,
Having looked at the Year of Architecture & Design website several times, I only became aware of your birds when we visited Dumfries last week. Unfortunately there was a problem with the lighting so we didn’t see them illuminated. We thought we might catch them in Dundee, but they’re only lit up on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so we’ll miss them there too. This is a shame. I just thought we’d give you this feedback, so you could perhaps relay this to the organisers. Their website hasn’t always been the most helpful for finding out what’s on where, so we’ve missed events like yours which would have been nice to see. I’ve been in Dundee several times in the past month or so, but saw no advertising at all for this, which is a shame for the people like yourself who have put effort into exhibits. Perhaps we’ll catch it somewhere else some time?
Kind regards,
Clare Scanlan

Hi Clare,
Thanks for getting in touch, and sorry you’ve not been able to experience Luminous Birds. We will pass your comments on to the event organisers Cryptic, and hope that you get another chance to see some of Kathy’s work at some point in the future! You can find out more about Kathy’s work and projects on her own website, http://kathyhinde.co.uk/
Best Wishes,
Katie

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