The River Don Residency, Aberdeen, Scotland

The River Don Residency

exploring the Don

CONTENTS

Introduction 1.

The River Don Residency

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Research and Consultation 2.

River Don Outposts

2

Art Programme 3.

BLOOM

4

4.

Garden of Earthly Delights

6

5.

OUR NATURE

8

6.

Working the Currents

10

7.

Signs and Wonders

12

Notes from the river 8.

Mapping the notes

CREDITS

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INTRODUCTION Irene Rogan was commissioned as the River Don Artist in Residence by Aberdeen City Council Arts Development in November 2012 Public Art Aberdeen (PAA) and the Sustainable Urban Fringes (SURF) Aberdeen project. The role of the artist in this commission was to develop, along with PAA and SURF Aberdeen, a ‘Public Art Plan’ for 10 miles of the River Don Corridor, through a process of engaging and collaborating with its communities to create temporary public artworks which explore, examine, highlight and discuss issues surrounding public space in the area.

The SURF Aberdeen project aims to improve the planning, management and perceptions of open spaces along the ‘River Don Corridor’ in Aberdeen – an area made up of the River Don and surrounding open spaces, from coast to country The approach to the River Don Residency has been toward the development of the artist’s practice, through research, experimentation and collaboration, (mostly undertaken outside the confines of a studio or gallery as neither were part of the commission).

of disciplines, and lay narratives. A number of dominant themes emerged: Art and science, the history of the place or places, a sense of heritage, of attachment and belonging in which domestic and industrial architecture forms part of the now 'natural' landscape.

Concern for the environment is expressed through reference to the ecology, the visible and microscopic components of the river and its immediate surroundings; whilst other participants locate meaning in more immaterial qualities through the production of music or texts.

All these activities contributed to them becoming a work, informing the artist’s critical arts practice whilst addressing the residency public realm objectives as defined by the residency commission brief.

The River Don Corridor from Dyce to Donmouth Estuary the extent of the residency boundaries

This was a process based practice in which outcomes unfold as ideas are bodied back and forth (dialogically) between the 'artist' and participant and between participant and participant through the everyday interactions and encounters that a 'place based' residency generates; a momentum that draws together and often collides ideas from across a multitude

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RIVER DON OUTPOSTS The outposts was a series of temporary research stations at three sites on the banks of the River Don; interactive public sculptures or installations and in the spirit of research, there was an element of spontaneity and experimentation. Using found or bought, natural and recycled and manmade materials or objects in order to reflect the River Don’s biodiversity, natural and industrial heritage and mystery.

Through this spontaneous and creative activity combining art and science, was an attempt to reveal symbolic and material aspects of the River, through various media including sculpture, microscopy, video, photography, and music performances, whilst considering sustainability and environmental aspects of the River and estuary.

Local community and passersby were invited to join in creating experimental site-specific artworks, or look through a microscope at flora and found objects, experience the effect of solo Violinist Bea Dawkins playing classical music to the river, write thoughts and responses down and hang labels on industrial remnants to contribute to a commissioned music composition from an open call to local musicians.

‘Us like water ‘ A label hung on the cogwheel as dictated by Owen Geddes (2.8yrs old)

OUTPOST #1 The Cogwheels Woodside Industrial cogwheels, enlivened to create a hint of the past use, parts of the site nearby were cleared revealing a series of hidden steps and wall. Passersby were invited to comment on the river and hang notes on the cogwheels.

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Above: OUTPOST #2 Seaton local coppiced willow to create an environmental sculpture a label hung on the work Right: help from visitors to make the willow sculpture, the sculpture was inspired by the Pictish stones housed at the Chapel of St Fergus, Dyce ( the 10 miles boundary of the residency from coast to country ) Bottom far right Outpost #3 at the Donmouth Below: OUTPOST #3 The Donmouth Estuary saxophonist Mark Dunsmore plays saxophone to the sea, sculptures are from found objects and images from the collected samples placed under microscopes.

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BLOOM ECO BLOOM ECO exhibition February 2013 Natural History Centre, University of Aberdeen BLOOM Exhibition included: The Natural History Centre’s collection of the taxidermy specimens installation by Irene Rogan, a sound piece by Ross Whyte ‘Sounds of the Don’ with digital slideshow of diatoms. Micro-organism inspired sculptures were created by the three schools with led by artist in residence and local artist Debbi Beeson. Science equipment (microscopes) and specimen.

BLOOM was an Eco Project where three local Primary Schools; Riverbank, Seaton and Woodside were involved in the development of an art and bioscience project (typically perceived as being intrinsically different and separate) to create large scale micro-organism inspired sculptures with lighting.

Through a series of field trips, with the artist in residence, art workshops and an exhibition, the project promoted environmental awareness by engaging visitors with the invisible world of micro-organisms and offering a different view of the natural environment of the River Don.

top row: school field trip collecting sample, example of observations, microscopy with primary school groups bottom row: girls examining their samples from the field trip, a specimen of a spirogyra, a pupil’s drawn observation from field trip bottom of page map of part of the residency site, children’s observational drawing and diatoms found in freshwater .

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BLOOM ECO PROJECT exhibition: installation of Natural History Centre collection and microscopes, Microorganism inspired sculptures, microscope, and Irene Rogan & Debbi Beeson during sculpture workshop

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Garden of Earthly Delights Cruickshank Botanical Gardens, University of Aberdeen ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ was a six days project with the artist working on-site and inviting the public to meet the her discuss the river Don and participate in the creation of the artwork it included a final poetry event with local Doric speaking poet Callum Peterkin reading his poems and writings by local writing group in the garden during and after the installation.

The title for the work references the famous painting by Hieronymus Bosch: a painting depicting a panorama of Heaven and Hell showing humanity in a state of chaos.

of these works by bringing their unwanted artificial flowers and positioning them within an expanding array of floral displays (mostly roses). The artificially vivid summer colours, when viewed against the backdrop of a dormant wintertime garden were both engaging and at the same time jarring; for many this eruption of colour produced a smile with all its implications of kitsch or postmodern irony.

However, the feeling generated in the sensory space of the botanic gardens was one of disquiet; gaudy artifice disrupted the tranquillity of this 'sleeping' space. The work served as a reminder to us all of the perils we may

The situating of this work specifically sought to

face if humankind continues on a path whereby nature

reference and draw attention to the value of public

is increasingly supplanted by dubious human creations.

spaces and parks, in particular the nearby Seaton Park

In exchange for their floral contributions and in order to

bordering the River Don. The red carpet is a welcome

impart a more positive experience every participant

offering temporary celebrity status.

was given a packet of 'mystery' seeds to take home, to

The Garden of Earthly Delights’ employed a playful touch to impart, collectively, a more serious message.

sow and nurture towards creating a living garden scattered around the city.

Visitors were invited to participate in the production Left: Seaton Park ornamental garden and River Don Right Cruickshank Botanical Gardens - Rose Garden University of Aberdeen Top: sample mystery seeds Bottom Artist’s sketch for Garden of Earthly Delights

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OUR Nature Dunbar Community Hall, St. Machar’s Cathedral, Aberdeen A composition, a symphony, lyric writing and musical performance by 21-piece orchestra.

Local musicians invited to work with the artist in residence on a music project - to collaborate on a new composition inspired by participating in River Don Residency events.

Bea Dawkins and Mark Dunsmore, students at Aberdeen University Department of Music, collaborated with the artist in residence during the three research Outposts. They played a violin to the river and a saxophone to the sea, delighting passersby and visitors, this formed the initial inspiration for the music and using the words from labels hung on the Outposts.

OUR NATURE is a classical symphony inspired by the River Don and its communities. This exciting new work was performed by a twenty one piece orchestra which they gathered together, featuring internationally acclaimed solo cellist and composer Geoffrey Palmer.

NATURE ‘What is your favourite place on the River Don? ‘Wherever the wildlife is’

Above Bea Dawkins during the River Don Outposts # 1 and Bottom Left orchestra rehearsing Bottom Right Mark Dunsmore Dunsmore composers of Our Nature

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LYRICS: OUR NATURE Movement 1: Awakening (Soprano): Call forth,

Now my World is…

Movement 3:

(Soprano)

The End

Now my world is gone.

Sitting alone on my withering throne

Now my world is yours.

All of the flowers, All of the creatures, Both great and small, As I,

Trapped and forgotten I sing my last song

Now my world is lost.

Left here with memories of all that is gone

Now my world is death.

And now the end is finally here

Now my world is decay.

I walk the Earth,

Now my world is broken and torn up by you.

Alone for now.

Now my world is hostile.

Curiosity (Tenor): What is this world that I have found?

Hearing the creatures make their sounds.

I must explore all the land and from it learn what I can Until this world’s gone…

I think this world is mine…

I can’t believe this new friendship we’ve found, It feels I’ve known you all my life I wonder what we can accomplish here With our two hearts we can work as one.

Now this world is ours.

To a false hope that never came true

Now my world is dark.

(Tenor)

Now my world is crying.

I was wrong to forget all we had

Now my world is dying.

Now all we have is the past turned to dust

Now my world is quiet.

Never to see, never to be Ashes to ashes all that we had

Now my world is fading fast.

Now my world is yours.

I have destroyed all that we built with our love

Now my world is gone.

Now my world is pale.

Now my world is no longer pure.

Now my world is barely what it used to be.

Harmony (Soprano & Tenor)

I face the darkness with pride Knowing deep down I surrendered my crown

Seeing this world and all its glorious life I feel a lust deep inside

Fading away the last light of the day

Now my world is poisoned by you.

Come into being,

Movement 2:

(Soprano)

(Both) As we fade into the night…

The Players: Soprano: Savia Iakovou Tenor: Grant Brown Violins: Bea Dawkins, Ruth Earnshaw, Jenni Halliday, Scott Wilson Viola: Mark McNamee Cellos: Geoff Palmer, Chandra Chapman Flutes: Jesse Harte, Kirsten Leggatt, Caroline Graham, Mark Lammas Soprano Sax: Euan McCubbin, Ben Light Alto Sax: Ben Light Horn: Rebecca Cherrie Euphonium: Jamie Boyle Tuba: Jenna Stephen Piano: Mark Dunsmore Timpani: Ellen Smith Percussion: Steff Murray-Campbell

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WORKING THE CURRENTS 23rd March 10.30 to 14.30 - River Don Dyce to Donmouth in an unusual event ‘See the River Don in a new light’.

‘Working the Currents’ is an event that combines art and water sport it is a collaboration between Aberdeen Kayakers Club, riverside communities and the artist in residence. This exciting work will create a ‘living bridge’ from Dyce to Donmouth. The public will be invited to bring their words and poems inspired by the River Don to be collected by the Kayakers at set locations defined by each community therefore the public also becoming part of the art.

Setting off from Dyce the Kayakers will move in a colourful column down the River Don, collecting contributions of words, poems and pictures generated from community engagement ‘Poetry in Motion ‘ at the locations shown on the flyer, to carry to the Estuary.

The Kayakers will land at the Donmouth for refreshments , there will be poetry readings and a special celebratory ‘arrival’ installation at the Donmouth. ‘Working the Currents’ is an exciting water based project to engage the community, encouraging and inspiring people to participate in an unusual event and see the River Don in a new light. proposed for spring/summer 2013

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Aberdeen Kayak Club - an Art and Sport event extraordinaire to engage communities along the river corridor from Dyce to Donmouth Estuary Nature Reserve

‘One thing I like about the Don is that it serves as a wildlife corridor while being an old industrial river. This was brought home to me while canoeing down the Don, shooting over broken old weirs while still feeling like I was in a forest’.

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Signs and Wonders ‘Signs and Wonders’ is a light hearted documentary work about public spaces and places; parks and gardens and connecting with the recent history of Aberdeen. When famous Royal Horticulturist David Welch was director of Leisure and Recreation Aberdeen, he transformed the "granite city" into the "floral city" when he left in 1992 there were more than two million rose bushes. This connection inspired the project and is a follow up from ‘Garden of Earthly Delights’ it is an experiment examining the effect of Is this a memorial ?

placing objects in familiar spaces with a strong symbolic resonance, such as roses, at selected sites along the riverside. How this creates

Is this a memorial?

an immediate impact and simple transformation. Many of the locations were chosen from answers to questions asked during the residency events about gateways and access points as well as hidden and unlovely areas, these were all decorated with the artificial flowers and roses and a series of questions about the produced effect.

a comment on industry and environment?

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ement?

A welcome? A warning? A memorial? A sentimental love token?

A sad love story or environmental statement ?

A message and or direction?

A joyful event? Nostalgia?

A celebration? A direction?

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SOURCE - A poem by Russ Alexander

Notes from the river

under the lazy gaze of Broon Coo Hill near windblasted, historic Corgarff far gurgling burns rin igither

KEY

into man built Delnadamph Dam An accessible connected path round the River Don from Dyce to Donmouth: Including themed guided walks: health, heritage, history, wildlife, Conservation. Science, stargazing, to name a few Locations identified as Gateway s and Access points for artwork and signposts. environmental sculptures, photography, education. using sustainable and eco friendly, locally sourced materials where possible

wi nae birth pains nor midwife the Cairngorms proudly gies birth tae the Don from anthology The Don: source to sea Dyce Riverside Park

D

Temporary events – for example an outdoor event off and on the river (kayaking) connecting communities all along the river corridor from Dyce to Domnouth

D

Doric dialect incorporated into proposals for artwork, signposting and information boards.

Locations for disabled access can combine art and design approach in functional artworks embedding features that can make experiencing art open to everyone Water, conservation are environmental concerns can be part of public art and underpin all projects and events and encourage science responsible Nature Tourism whilst improving the neighbourhoods

Grandholm

Danestone Persely Bridge Grandholm Bridges

Bridge of Don

Woodside Donside New Village

Seaton Park

Donmouth Nature Reserve 14

CREDITS The individuals, community groups and organisation who

Photo credits:

the artist in residence met, discussed the residency with,

Front Cover: Lee Hentze | Contents: Bing maps |

developed and coordinated projects with: Bea Dawkins,

p1 Introduction: Irene Rogan | p2: Irene Rogan

Mark Dunsmore, Ross Whyte, Craig Douglas, Lee Hentze,

River Don Out Posts | p3: River Don Outposts

Lynne Digby, Callum Peterkin. The River Don Artist in

Craig Barrowman Aberdeen City Council Irene

Residence would like to thank them for their commitment

Rogan | p4: Field trips BLOOM Irene Rogan,

and sharing their talents and their spirit of collaboration.

Microscope sample Lee Hentze, Bing Maps| p5: BLOOM Exhibition Lee Hentze and microscopes by

The River Don residency was helped in developing the

Irene Rogan| p6: Garden of Earthly Delights Lee

Projects by: The Natural History Centre, University of

Hentze, Irene Rogan sketch, Bing Maps | p7:

Aberdeen Marie Fish and Yashka Smith, The Cruickshank

Garden of Earthly Delights Lee Hentze Mark

Botanical Gardens, University of Aberdeen Curator Mark

Paterson | p8: Our Nature Irene Rogan, Bing Maps

Paterson and the gardeners, Riverbank Primary School,

| p9: Background picture Bing Maps, Lyric sheet

Seaton Primary School and Woodside Primary School.

Bea Dawkins and Mark Dunsmore | p10: Poster developed by Craig Barrowman and Irene Rogan

Community groups, Aberdeen University Departments

Sketch for Working the Currents by Irene Rogan

and individuals: Alan Carter Sunnybank, Anne Greany,

photos from Craig Douglas | p12 -13 Signs and

Becycle, Seaton Backies, The Woodside Writers for their

Wonders Pictures by Irene Rogan | p15 Credits

anthology of poems and prose from the River The Don

watershot on this page from the Don Andy

from source to sea, Kevin McKenzie Medical Sciences for

Coventry.

use of the microscopes, Andy Coventry photographer, Aberdeen Kayak Club, School of Music Kings College, Geoffrey Palmer Solo cellist Our Nature, The orchestra

VISIT River Don Residency website at: www.rdair.moonfruit.com

Our Nature, Sinclair Laing SURF Aberdeen.

Please go to www.rdair.moonfruit.com for further details and of images from the residency

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