13 February 2014
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Historic Old Town Steps in Edinburgh to be revitalised
A set of historic steps which were once part of a popular route through Edinburgh's Old Town are to be re-opened in a new conservation project. ...
A set of historic steps which were once part of a popular route through Edinburgh's Old Town are to be re-opened in a new conservation project. The steps, which are part of the High School Yards, are to be revitalised, with a new art installation by local artist Callum Innes.
The steps have been closed to the public since 2003, when they became run-down and the subject of anti-social behaviour. Now, the new project will see Callum Innes create a new installation which will use an infra-red camera to capture the movements of people moving up and down the stairs, throwing their silhouettes onto a large LED mesh screen nearby.
Speaking on the Edinburgh World Heritage website, Callum said: 'I was initially approached by Malcolm Fraser to develop an installation that would reclaim the steps as a public space, addressing some of the issues that had led to its closure.
By placing an infrared camera half-way up the steps we make a hidden part of the steps visible, relaying live footage of silhouetted figures to be superimposed onto the changing colours of the 'screen. The installation directly engages both the architecture of the steps and the public for whom they serve.
'We approached Panmure St Ann’s Centre to be part of the project as they’re across the road from the steps and we were excited that the students who took part would be able to enjoy watching their creation daily, as well as having the rewarding experience of contributing to a public artwork so rooted in the their immediate surrounding.
'We hope that this will form the basis of an ongoing relationship between the school and the artistic community in Edinburgh.'
Work is expected to start towards the end of February, and will be completed in June. The total cost of the work is estimated at £177,856 and is jointly funded by Edinburgh World Heritage, the City of Edinburgh Council, and the University of Edinburgh.
For full details of the project, visit the Edinburgh World Heritage website.
(Image copyright Sandy Gemmill, Geograph Project)
Keep up to date with the latest history news, discoveries and research in every issue of History Scotland and Scottish Memories magazines, available in print and digital versions.
The steps have been closed to the public since 2003, when they became run-down and the subject of anti-social behaviour. Now, the new project will see Callum Innes create a new installation which will use an infra-red camera to capture the movements of people moving up and down the stairs, throwing their silhouettes onto a large LED mesh screen nearby.
Speaking on the Edinburgh World Heritage website, Callum said: 'I was initially approached by Malcolm Fraser to develop an installation that would reclaim the steps as a public space, addressing some of the issues that had led to its closure.
By placing an infrared camera half-way up the steps we make a hidden part of the steps visible, relaying live footage of silhouetted figures to be superimposed onto the changing colours of the 'screen. The installation directly engages both the architecture of the steps and the public for whom they serve.
'We approached Panmure St Ann’s Centre to be part of the project as they’re across the road from the steps and we were excited that the students who took part would be able to enjoy watching their creation daily, as well as having the rewarding experience of contributing to a public artwork so rooted in the their immediate surrounding.
'We hope that this will form the basis of an ongoing relationship between the school and the artistic community in Edinburgh.'
Work is expected to start towards the end of February, and will be completed in June. The total cost of the work is estimated at £177,856 and is jointly funded by Edinburgh World Heritage, the City of Edinburgh Council, and the University of Edinburgh.
For full details of the project, visit the Edinburgh World Heritage website.
(Image copyright Sandy Gemmill, Geograph Project)
Keep up to date with the latest history news, discoveries and research in every issue of History Scotland and Scottish Memories magazines, available in print and digital versions.
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