Speed Of Light Edinburgh
Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh
August 2012
Edinburgh’s Arthur’s Seat was the stage for a remarkable fusion of public art and sporting endeavour for NVA’s Speed of Light in Aug 2012. The iconic peak was brought to life each night in a mass choreographed act of walking and endurance running, as part of Edinburgh International Festival and London 2012 Festival.
A mesmerising visual display unfolded each night on the ascent to the summit as hundreds of runners wearing specially designed light suits took to the intricate path networks below. The walking audience were part of the work, carrying portable light sources set against the dark features of the hill.
Each individual performance was a product of collective action, landscape and weather, offering a rare perspective on the cityscape, night skies and the sea and hills beyond.
Speed of Light also investigated the physical and emotional aspects to endurance running and the extent to which the power of the mind can override physical pain. A series of related blogs, web portraits, events, lectures and co-commissions were presented in partnership with eight of the Edinburgh Festivals.
The running experience
We had a tremendous response for the runner places during the event and wish to send out a huge thank you to the enthusiasm and commitment of all our excellent runners.
A legacy
Presented in partnership with the Edinburgh International Festival, Speed of Light was one of the most extraordinary and high-profile events in the 2012 Festival programme. One of only four national projects commissioned by the Legacy Trust UK’s Community Celebrations programme - which aims to build a lasting legacy from Britain’s hosting of the Games - Speed of Light was featured as a signature contribution to the London 2012 Festival programme, which ran from 21 June-9 September featuring leading artists from around the world.
The Grim Runner
Read NVA’s Creative Director, Angus Farquhars’ training journey blog on Speed of Light 2012 here:
thegrimrunner.tumblr.com
Downloads
Speed of Light 2012: Round Up
Speed of Light 2012: Artist Commission
Speed of Light 2012: Resonance Radio Orchestra
Speed of Light 2012: Press Release March 2012
Sponsors
- Island Drift Loch Lomond and Trossachs
- The Invisible College Kilmahew / St Peters
- Speed of Light Salford Salford Quays, Manchester
- Speed of Light Yokohama Yokohama, Japan
- Speed Of Light Edinburgh Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh