Award-winning Scottish artist, Council Baby, the heartbeats of 60 Aberdonians, a 50m long multi-sensory walkway, a sprawling illuminated fungal network, and Scottish illustrator, Johanna Basford OBE, best known for her adult colouring book creations, are amongst a plethora of artists and artworks announced today as the full programme for Spectra, Scotland’s Festival of Light, is revealed.
Now in its 11th year, the free-to-attend festival, owned and commissioned by Aberdeen City Council, will illuminate the skies of Aberdeen with 15 art light installations, and a wide-range of supporting activations, from fire street performances to dancers and musicians, when it comes to the city from 6th to 9th February.
Adding to the exciting line-up will be the iconic ABERDEEN letters by Aberdeen Inspired which will feature a special design for the occasion. The letters will be temporarily moved to Broad Street, outside of Marischal College, for the event and provide a perfect picture-ready illuminated backdrop for visitors to enjoy. This addition also sees Aberdeen Inspired join as a festival partner, collaborating with Aberdeen City Council to deliver a fantastic experience for visitors at the festival.
Award-winning artist Council Baby, recipient of the 2022 Royal Scottish Academy Benno Schotz Prize for the most promising work by a Scottish artist under 35, has created a new work for the festival. Fit D’You Know About the Bon Accord?, commissioned by and presented at Aberdeen Art Gallery.
The work involves a large-scale video installation, projected against the backdrop of the gallery’s magnificent Sculpture Court. It comprises four striking stained-glass designs which have been inspired by works in the city’s collection and visits to the area, with each animated panel capturing different aspects of Aberdeen's rich history. The title plays on the Aberdeen dialect of Doric and asks the viewer, aside from the oil and granite, what do you really know about the Bon Accord?
Mycelium Network_Stevie Thompson of Custom Fibre Optics
Artwork designed by Johanna Basford OBE, will come to life via a giant interactive colouring wall in Union Terrace Gardens and enable those visiting the festival to colour-in her recognisable designs that will light up under neon lights.
Additional light installations announced today as part of the festival’s full programme line-up put together by Spectra producers Live Event Management, include, Manchester-based artists, idontloveyouanymore, whose artwork in Union Terrace Gardens will feature the flashing heartbeats of participants from across Aberdeen. Those keen to take part can do so by visiting: https://thematteroftheheart.com/
An experimental audio-visual installation called FUTURES will explore the contrast between light and dark and its effect on the human perception of space using strobes of light along a 50m long walkway. A giant moon apparently removed from its orbit and lassoed to a boat will be installed at Marischal Square and St Nicholas Kirk will be brought to life with a giant projection light show on one side and a fibre optic Mycelium network, an example of the hidden underground connections between mushrooms, plants and trees, on the other.
Councillor Martin Greig, cultural spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council, said: “The countdown is on for Spectra 2025, Scotland’s Festival of Light. In what is our eleventh year running the festival, we are always looking for ways to make it feel even more spectacular for visitors. It’s safe to say that this year, we have a hugely diverse programme in place that will offer a memorable event for young and old alike.
“We are pleased that so many new, emerging, and experienced talents have chosen Aberdeen to showcase their artworks. We are especially excited to welcome Council Baby with her commission that depicts Aberdeen’s past and celebrates the city’s evolution.
"Aberdeen City Council welcomes the support of Aberdeen Inspired in bringing the iconic letters to Broad Street for this year’s festival.
“We can’t wait to welcome visitors from near and far to experience Spectra 2025. There really is nothing else like it in Scotland.”
At the centre of Council Baby’s artwork is a 'river goddess' Divona as an ode to the River Dee and Don, which takes the viewer through the different eras of Aberdeen highlighting the city's rich history and heritage.
Council Baby said: “Traditionally, stained glass windows were used to communicate the stories and teachings of the Christian faith to a largely illiterate population. Though outside of their instructional purpose these ornate windows were also often one of the few pieces of visual art the working audience would ever see. An ornate means of propelling an idea forward in time - a story of where the viewer came from and where they were going.
“My work charts a story of where the city has been, from Picts, to covenanters, to ships and oil rigs, standing stones to tower blocks of grey granite. I wanted to visualise the story of the place, the constant change, and the constants. Telling the viewer where they’ve been and allowing them to imagine where they might be going.”
Using a smartphone and the Northern Lights AR app, audiences can explore an alternate dimension by unlocking interactive artworks within a ring of ‘doorways’ situated on Rosemount Viaduct, directly in front of His Majesty’s Theatre by Aberdeen-based artist Craig Barrowman and collaborators, while a Morse Code-powered light beam transmitted to the universe outside of Aberdeen Art Gallery, will also entertain event-goers across the four-day light festival extravaganza.
Stories of traditional Scottish tales and myths will be taking place in Cowdray Hall, while illuminated artwork produced by local schools and community groups, as well as projected poetry and prose developed by Scottish poet, author and educator, Simon Lamb and pupils from Muirfield Primary School will also feature in Union Terrace Gardens.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “It is simply brilliant to have the iconic Aberdeen letters play a central role in the hugely popular SPECTRA festival of light, helping attract thousands of people into the heart of the city, boosting local traders and businesses.
“The letters have already become part of the landscape of the Granite City in their current place at Union Terrace Gardens and having them on Broad Street alongside a spectacular SPECTRA installation and with the beautiful Marischal College behind will be a shining draw for this year’s festival.
“Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to partner with Aberdeen City Council for SPECTRA and we’re sure the letters will launch a thousand Instagram images, just as they have in the gardens. And don’t worry – the letters will be back in Union Terrace Gardens after tripping the light fantastic to Broad Street.”
Spectra has received funding from EventScotland, while leading independent law firm Burness Paull, which has offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, is sponsoring Spectra for a second year.
Rebecca Edser, head of EventScotland, said: “Scotland is a year-round destination with every month, season, and region offering something different for visitors and locals to enjoy.
“Supported through our National Events Programme and as part of our diverse portfolio of events and festivals that showcase Scotland as the perfect stage for events, SPECTRA’s exciting programme of light installations, large-scale projects and interactive artworks by some of the country’s leading artists offer an unforgettable winter experience for all to come and enjoy.
“Congratulations to all the SPECTRA team on this year’s programme that will offer people the chance to come together and share a truly memorable experience.”
The full programme line-up joins the recently announced light installations of a giant dreamy inflatable light castle called Sky Castle from Australian artist, ENESS, and a huge illuminated slinky toy called End Over End from Newcastle-based Studio Vertigo.
Over 100,000 visitors attended the festival in 2024, contributing £2.6million in visitor spend to the local economy.