Edinburgh’s Hogmanay – Message from the Skies 2020

Message from the Skies 2020 celebrated Scotland’s Year of Coasts And Waters with the theme Shorelines. Using innovative projection mapping techniques to immerse the audience, the cross-artform collaboration saw the words of five acclaimed writers illuminate and animate landmarks around Edinburgh.

“Designers and filmmakers, Bright Side Studios, bring it all together with powerful, expressive imagery, immersing the audience in the spoken word, the music, and the visuals.”Edinburgh’s Hogmanay

We were commissioned to work with celebrated author Robin Robertson and acclaimed musician Alasdair Roberts for our installation on the Nelson Monument, Calton Hill. Robin Robertson’s “Ten Thousand Miles of Edge” takes us on an epic journey across the country’s coastal geography.

“Poet Robin Robertson evokes the country’s coast…It feels like a prayer to an island nation.” The Guardian

Robin Robertson narrates Ten Thousand Miles of Edge with personal reflections on what makes Scotland’s coastal geography so fundamental to Scotland’s identity. In addition, this is accompanied by powerful and poetic music by Alasdair Roberts.

“Each is a living piece, animated and brought to life through a set of new collaborations with composers, visual artists and artists who have worked to realise each writer’s words in live animation to be projected across the city. Creating a new trail of enlightenment which is free for all to discover in the dark winter nights.” Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 

Message from the Skies was produced by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay in partnership with the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature. Read Robin Robertson’s piece Ten Thousand Miles of Edge here.

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