Solar Flair
The Edinburgh Art Festival has grown considerably since its inception in 2004, and this year it has showcased an amazing mix of classics and startling new favourites. Some of the key exhibitions for 2011 include Martin Creed’s Scotsman Steps, David Mach’s biblical art based on King James and Karen Forbes’s Solar Pavilion.
At the centre of attention of the city centre is the Solar Pavilion designed by leading Scottish artist Karen Forbes and structural engineers Buro Happold and RMJM architectural practice. A 2.8 metre high, 14-metre long glass structure segmented into 9 parts, this exquisite architecture is being installed at the foot of Melville Monument at St Andrews Square for the whole duration of the festival.
St Andrews Square, a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh City bus station and Edinburgh Waverly station is an ideal spot, providing a highly visible and accessible gateway to the Edinburgh Art Festival programme. The city’s obsession with optics and visual arts is best promoted through this exhibit, which has simply put together two abstracts into one perfect piece of art.
Drawing light from various different angles and playing with the concept of reflections and refractions, Forbes’ glass structure offers observers an intriguing sight of Edinburgh City.
This exquisite architecture is an exemplar of fine visual art and become known as “the lighthouse of the 21st century”.
The novelty of the pavilion has certainly charmed the Scottish Expo Fund to invest and back the idea, enabling this art to become alive. Of recent years, the Scottish Government Edinburgh Festivals has been channelling in resources and capital into nurturing the arts and creativity sectors.
