The Scottish artist Christine Borland and the New York based artist Brody Condon are to give a talk on their work at the Pier Arts Centre on Wednesday 19 October at 7.30pm. The artists visit to Orkney is supported through Creative Scotland’s Vital Spark programme as well as by Symbols in a Landscape, a flagship project of the Year of Scotland’s Islands.

Turner prize nominee, Christine Borland, whose artworks touch on the territories of ethics and medical humanities and Brody Condon, an artist based in New York whose work concerns the interaction between actual and virtual digital experience are collaborating with Glasgow Sculpture Studios and a team of medical education experts to develop a new joint project. Their new work, which is in the early stages of development, will explore their shared interests.

The project is one of eight supported through Creative Scotland’s Vital Spark funding scheme. The Vital Spark programme, made possible through Scottish Government’s Innovation Fund, encourages experimentation, radical new work and innovative approaches to engaging with audiences.

Andrew Parkinson, Curator at the Pier Arts Centre said “We are delighted to welcome Christine and Brody to the Pier to present a talk on their work. Christine is a regular visitor to Orkney and her work exploring the links between art, science and society will be well known to many. Brody is currently working at Cove Park, the residency base overlooking Loch Long. The collaboration between these two artists promises to create some very exciting new work and we are pleased to have the opportunity to present a talk about work in progress to audiences in Orkney.

“The Symbols in a Landscape project aims to present simulating events to audiences in Orkney that explore links between art and archaeology. Christine and Brody’s work, looking at complementary areas of study such as anthropology, virtual reality and forensic science, will help to bring new perspectives to the project.”

Christine Borland added, “I look forward to sharing the Island’s unique sites; from the War time defences to the world-renowned archaeology, with Brody who has long been fascinated by the island from afar. I am sure the visit will be a great catalyst for ideas for our Vital Sparks project.”

The Year of Scotland’s Islands initiative aims to raise the profile of the islands across the UK and internationally, attract more visitors, bolster economic development and strengthen links between the islands and mainland cultural organisations. The programme, which includes over 100 events across 42 islands, will showcase the music, arts, food, sport and history of the islands, as well as highlight their unique beauty as visitor destinations.

The Scotland’s Islands initiative has been developed through a partnership of the six local authorities with island communities – Argyll and Bute, Highland, North Ayrshire, Orkney, Shetland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Other supporters who have contributed to the funding the programme include Highlands & Islands Enterprise, EventScotland, European Regional Development Fund, VisitScotland and Awards for All.

Meanwhile entries are invited for the Pier Arts Centre’s annual Christmas Open Exhibition which opens on Saturday 26 November. Work can be submitted to the Centre on or before Saturday 12 November – see separate advert in this weeks The Orcadian for details.

The exhibition, the lamp in the seaward window – the art of Sylvia Wishart continues at the Pier Arts Centre until 5 November.

The Pier Arts Centre is open Monday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.00pm. Admission is free.

The Pier Arts Centre
Victoria Street
Stromness
Orkney
Tel: 01856 850209
Web: http://www.pierartscentre.com/

Source: The Pier Arts Centre