Scots of all ages have had their hopes for the year 2030 recorded on specially cast metal ingots in a project exploring the legacy of the Galloway Glens hydro scheme and the future for renewables.
Artist Jason Nelson took a mobile foundry to Balmacellan this weekend where he poured molten aluminium into moulds taken from lino cuts made by more than 80 people including secondary school students and members of local Men’s Shed group.
Jason’s work explores the story of Scotland’s hydroelectric schemes and the development of hydroelectric power in Galloway (one of Scotland’s oldest and boldest clean and renewable energy projects).
His project was inspired by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s projection that the world needs to fundamentally change its energy production and use by 2030 to avoid irreparable damage to the environment and climate system.
Hydro schemes initially came to Scotland to generate the energy needed for aluminium smelting. Then, with moves to build the National Grid, they were seen as a way to bring power to the people.
Jason said: “The Galloway Glens hydro scheme was an astonishing piece of civil engineering – with the capacity to provide clean energy for around 79,000 homes.
“Right now, we need the same kind of drive, vision and creative thinking to put renewables at the heart of global energy production and to help us reshape how we use energy by 2030.
“That’s not long – today’s secondary school students will only be in their 20s. So I thought I’d ask people of all ages to say what they would like to see in the next 12 years.”
Jason encouraged participants to express their aspirations and desires by marking lino using cutting tools, letter punches and stick on letters. These have been used to create castings about the size of a mobile phone.
Some people’s messages were global, like wanting a better environment for their grandchildren, others were simple and homely like hoping for a family of their own – or even a pet dog.
The finished pieces will form part of an Energise exhibition at Gracefield Arts Centre, which opens on 11thMay
Jason is one of three artists involved in Energise. The project is run by Upland Arts Development CIC, and aims to explore the relationship between climate change and the environment and people of Dumfries and Galloway.
Amy Marletta, Projects Directorat Upland Arts Development, said: “We wanted to give artists the chance to look at one of the most overwhelmingly important issues facing the world today in the context of Dumfries and Galloway where we are based.
“Jason has found a really creative way to bring unite the story of hydro electricity, and the enormous success of the Galloway Glens scheme, with the urgent need to respond to climate change.
“By asking people about their hopes for the world in just a few years’ time he is really bringing home how little time we have to make enormous changes.”
It is supported by Creative Scotland and the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership.
McNabb Laurie, Galloway Glens Team Leader, said: “The construction of the Galloway Hydro Scheme in the 1930s took a nationally, if not internationally, pioneering approach to large scale renewable energy production. A drop of rain could be used up to seven times to generate electricity on its journey down the valley. Almost 100 years later, the scheme has become embedded into the landscape and this project is a great opportunity to see how people relate to it. Many thanks to our funder, National Lottery Heritage Fund.”
The other artists involved are Morag Paterson and Ted Leeming who have been talking to people across the area about their thoughts, memories and attitudes towards the huge hydro projects of the 1930s.
Jason has been supported by associate artist Catherine Major, who has been assisting him to gain experience in participatory practice.
- Join the Energiseartists in residence for a day long-event that celebrates the history and legacy of the Galloway hydro scheme. It runs from 10am to 4.30pm on 27 April with a tour of the Tongland power station, an artist walk, talks and lunch. Please note that each part of the day has as separate booking page on Eventbrite to allow people to choose whether to attend only the morning session or afternoon session. Booking essential. See www.weareupland.com/events/energise-event
Picture by Colin Tennant
Ends
Notes for editors
About the artists
- Jason Nelson is an artist based in Dundee who has over 15 years’ experience as an artist and educator. Embedded in Jason’s practice is the way in which activity can empower and enable expression and action. His work is often a response to context and exists as a result of direct engagement with people, their environments and their relationship to it.
- Photographers Ted Leeming and Morag Paterson are based in Dumfries & Galloway and work both collaboratively and as individuals. Collaboratively they have been focused on environmental arts projects including their seven year Zero Footprint and three year Polphaill projects exploring carbon footprints and the conflicts of man and nature in the context of the oil and gas industry. They also created the ‘In Flight’ installation in Dumfries in 2016 exploring issues around migration and climate change.
About Upland
Upland CIC (Community Interest Company) supports artists and makers based in, and with connections to, the region. It will delivers, events, training, networking, support and opportunities as part of a year-round programme to benefit the region, its artists, communities and economy.
Upland CIC runs the annual Spring Fling contemporary visual art and craft open studios weekend in Dumfries and Galloway. It will work closely with other arts bodies in the region to further-strengthen the sector. Upland is based at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries andexists to:
- produce and deliver festivals, events, and experimental projects of the highest quality
- nurture an environment where artistic excellence thrives and grows
- inspire and educate a wide range of audiences, customers and clients to understand, celebrate, be actively engaged in and supportive of visual art and craft practice
- raise the profile of visual artists and makers locally, nationally and internationally fulfilling a crucial role in the culture and tourism of Dumfries and Galloway
- build strategic partnerships at regional, national and international level
- maintain a financially sound and adaptively resilient organisation
- use, and encourage the use of, innovative and emerging digital technology
- work to the benefit the local economy and the sustainability of local communities.
Its funders are Creative Scotland, D&G Council, Holywood Trust, The William Grant Foundation, ASWT, Barfill. Upland is very happy to help journalists. Contact us and we can set up interviews, provide pictures and photo opportunities. In some circumstances we can offer ready-written copy. For media information contact Matthew Shelley on 07786 704299 or at [email protected] or call Upland on 01387 213 218.