Ormaig Landart Project (2020)
The Highland Society of London Award 2021
in the 195th Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition
Photography by Aaron Watson
300 tree stumps overlooking the prehistoric rock art site at Ormaig, near Kilmartin in the
southern Highlands of Scotland have been coated with lime wash in a creative response to the over 4000 years old cup and ring markings. Ormaig Landart Project is a gigantic circle in the
Mid Argyll landscape, measuring 150 by 150 metres.
The installation appears in a subtle pink, but will look almost white when the sun is
shining. Only purely mineral materials like hydrated lime wash and iron oxide pigments have been used to create the artwork.
Walking from Carnasserie Castle car park to Ormaig the first thing we see is a long stretched oval shape on the hillside. As we walk closer to Ormaig along the forestry road we see how the shape is changing into a wider oval, dynamically stretched out over the hill. We will see the full circle when we finally reach Ormaig rock art site.
Over time, the artwork will gently fade back into the landscape. It is a brief greeting through time.
Ormaig Landart Project is being supported by Kilmartin Museum and Forestry and Land Scotland as owner of the land and has received Open Project Funding from Creative Scotland and the National Lottery Funding.
Creative Scotland was talking to me
about Ormaig Landart Project. The interview can be viewed by following the link
below.
Film by Aaron Watson. Soundtrack by John Was.
The making of Ormaig landart project
Thank you!
Aaron Watson for film, photography and invaluable advice.
Aaron and Julia Hamilton from Kilmartin Museum and Robbie Layden from Forestry and Land Scotland for believing in the project right from the start and supporting it so generously all the way through.
Dean Hicks from Hicks Plastering. Dean, you are the lime wash wizzard! Thanks for showing me some of your tricks.
Amanda Catto and Sophie Craik from Creative Scotland.
Creative Scotland and the National Lottery Funding for supporting the project.
Stephen Burke and Louie Pegna for all the dedicated hard work on the project. It was fun working with you!
Bjorn Aaen from Drone Scotland for amazing aerial footage.
John Was for a great soundtrack.
Gillian, Morgan and Vic MacVicar, Acacio Barros and David Armour for their generous help.
Dougie for the key without knowing anything about me.