Arts Boost for Climate and Diversity Projects
Stirling’s Place Partnership Project Scene Stirling has backed two local arts projects aimed at creating positive changes for people and planet.
Unlearning open grants have been awarded to:
Environmental artist Scott Hunter, for a climate change project exploring the ecological potential of a former munitions depot on the banks of the Forth (£1450).
Musician and filmmaker Omar Aborida, to fund a film project promoting talent and diversity within the local music scene (£1480).
Scott Hunter, Environmental Artist
Born and raised in Fife, Scott Hunter planned to be a gas engineer rather than an artist; but a trip to Japan in 2009 saw him change course.
Scott said: “I never actually intended to become a photographer. In 2009, I purchased a digital camera to document my travels through Japan and fell in love with the medium.
“During a photography residency in Japan some years later, I encountered a heatwave and their worst typhoon in 25 years. This experience prompted my interest in environmental issues surrounding climate change and its effects on nature.”
Scott’s method is part photography, part environmental science; combining imagery and soil chromatography (where a soil solution is absorbed by silver coated paper creating a ‘picture’ of the soil). He is particularly interested in how nature has reclaimed former industrial landscapes.
Artwork by Scott Hunter
Scott said: “After working extensively along the Fife coastline, I wanted to move up the River Forth to explore alternative brownfield sites in Stirling that sit along the riverbank. The Bandeath munitions depot sparked my interest after researching its links by rail to the naval bases at Crombie and Rosyth, where my father used to work.
“My initial survey of the Bandeath site suggests that the wetland area provides a haven for birds, while the derelict buildings provide sanctuary for plant and animal species.
“I’m looking forward to sharing my findings with the local community and showing how new ecosystems can often spring up in the most unlikely of places.”
Omar Aborida, Musician and Filmmaker
Meanwhile Strathblane based filmmaker Omar Aborida, who has worked on TV and film productions such as Taggart, Rebus, Perfect Sense and Stone of Destiny, will use his talents to help promote lesser-known local musicians.
Omar said: “Up until the pandemic I was working as a recording artist and touring musician. But lockdown saw me returning to my filmmaking roots and setting up a production company, Tape Rituals alongside photographer Harrison Reid.”
He added: “The idea behind the project, came about through my own experience of lockdown. All my normal touring activities suddenly stopped. It struck me that many musicians with successful international careers are virtually unknown in their own local communities, despite being well known in other countries.”
Brina, a Falkirk-based Jamaican reggae singer
Omar’s documentary will focus on Brina, a Falkirk-based Jamaican reggae singer whose music fuses together Scottish and Jamaican influences.
Omar said: ““Brina is a fantastic artist who has developed a strong following in Europe and East Africa. I’m hoping this documentary will raise her profile locally, as well as showcase how wonderfully diverse the Scottish music scene can be.”
He added: “We’ll be filming at some of Falkirk’s most iconic locations, to show how place and locality inspire Brina as an artist.”
This will be Omar’s second film profiling a local musician. He was previously awarded a Scene Stirling microgrant to create a short film about Stirling-based folk guitarist Scott William Urquhart, which will be premiered online at www.scenestirling.com on Friday 22 October at 6pm.