// SPECTRA //
Northern Lights Programme

8 - 11 February 2024
5.30pm - 10pm
Across Aberdeen City Centre

* FREE *

Find out more about the artists and their commissions and join in during SPECTRA by following us on Instagram:

// About //

Embark on a captivating journey through Aberdeen's historic cityscape with the Northern Lights Programme as part of SPECTRA, Scotland’s Festival of Light 2024. Lead artist Craig Barrowman, along with an emerging line-up of commissioned artists, who all have a connection to the northeast invite you to explore the city like never before.

Using your smartphone, immerse yourself in an interactive augmented reality (AR) experience that transforms Aberdeen’s urban spaces with new 3D digital artworks. As you travel across SPECTRA from 8-11 Feb, look out for QR codes to scan with your phone and be prepared to be illuminated.

Join us in celebrating the talents of creative practitioners across various art forms, all with roots in Aberdeen.

Artists:
Lead artist Craig Barrowman in collaboration with commissioned artists who have a connection to the northeast - Harry Roberts / Kirsty Skea / Outlines Collective / Andrey Chugunov / Sean Wheelan / Marianna Michalska / Gianni Esporas / Mark Luurtsema / Sarah Buchan / Si Knox 

// Lead Artist //
Craig Barrowman

I'm an artist based in Aberdeen, working in lots of different media, but recently focusing mostly on sculpture-performance projects in public space. I’m interested in the ways we relate to our shared places, and like to do projects that involve spontaneous collaboration with audiences.  

I studied at Gray's School of Art back in the early 00s, and after some time moving around Scotland doing various arts jobs (and a bit of teaching) returned to NE a few years ago.  I've worked with Look Again several times over the years, and was really chuffed when they asked me to collaborate with them on a commission for Spectra! 

For 'Northern Lights', we’re making an interactive augmented reality (AR) exhibition showcasing the work of 10 emerging artists, inspired by Aberdeen, the NE, and Spectra’s 2024 theme ‘Connection’.  My role is to work with the artists to bring their ideas to life as digital artworks which populate a virtual world layered on the city centre streets. This involves processing the wide range of digital objects created by the artists into AR-ready assets, so I’ve spent a lot of time in front of the computer, which has been challenging, but a lot of fun! I love learning new tools and new ways to make and share art. 

Andrey Chugunov
'A Space for Encapsulation: Aberdeen’

Kirsty Skea
'River of Light'

Sarah Buchan
'Hagstone'

Marianna Michalska
'Hand of God'