This afternoon, work was under way to install this huge and intriguing sculpture on Calton Hill.
Emii Alrai’s Guardian will remain in place for the duration of the Edinburgh Art Festival (14–30 August).
She describes it as exploring the ‘cultural power and contested political histories of archaeological ruins’.
At the bottom of Broughton Street stands a church building which in 1990 was semi-derelict and facing possible demolition. Only a few local residents and art specialists were aware of the spectacular mural decoration within, painted by Phoebe Anna Traquair. By 1990 this was in a shocking state of disrepair.
Scottish artist and architect Alexander Nasmyth (1758–1840) embarked on a Grand Tour of Europe between 1782 and 1784.
His vividest experiences during that time took place in Rome, where privileged young Scotsmen loved, whored, explored, created, learned, and discussed the then known world.
We're told that a second pigeon has fallen to the Elm Row sculpture slayer.
We're making light of it, but we're not happy. Further news will follow if and when we have verified the story.
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The annual Doors Open Days offer public access to buildings which are not usually accessible. In several senses, they reveal much about the city.
One of the things that appeals to visitors here is that so many museums and galleries are open to the public. In contrast, they are disheartened that so many seemingly ‘public’ places are strictly private: the gardens of the New Town being a classic example. Visitors (and some residents) peer longingly over fences and walls at the forbidden fruits within.
The doos are home on Elm Row.
Shona Kinloch’s eight brass figures were removed from the site in 2006 as preparations began on the tramline extension from Newhaven to Broughton.
In the years since, the popular trip hazards (properly titled A Leith Walk since their creation in 1996) have been fully refurbished or, in three cases, recast.
Their reinstatement, along with that of the London Road clock adjacent, marks progress in beginning to restore some normality to the area.
Hands-on approach to fine art. Paolozzi would have been delighted.
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The relationship between art and nature is evident on the Water of Leith. This is expressed most obviously through Anthony Gormley’s figures but also in the ‘accidental’ art forged by the surge of late December, which saw torrents of water cascade through the river's gorges and under its bridges.
On reflection, all is not as it may seem.
Now that public consultation on the future of the Picardy Place island seems to be indefinitely stalled, Leith ward's Cllr Gordon Munro floats an exciting idea that could transform the area for years to come.
On the basis that knowledge is wonderful but imagination is even better, Spurtle wants to kick-start a conversation. Let us know what you think of Munro's idea, or describe an alternative.