logo
Giant inflatables and illuminated slinky among artworks lighting up Aberdeen

Giant inflatables and illuminated slinky among artworks lighting up Aberdeen

Yahoo06-02-2025
A giant inflatable castle and a huge illuminated slinky spring are among the works awaiting visitors at this year's Spectra festival in Aberdeen, which opens on Thursday evening.
The 2025 edition of the annual light festival, now in its 11th year, will feature 15 artworks at various locations around the Granite City, along with entertainment from street performers, dancers and musicians.
Organisers said they are expecting thousands of visitors to attend the free festival – branded 'Scotland's festival of light' – which runs until Sunday.
Last year the event drew crowds of more than 100,000 and was estimated to have contributed £2.6 million to the local economy.
Works on show in the 2025 festival include the Sky Castle, an interactive sound and light installation designed by Australian artists ENESS, where the sound and light change as visitors walk through a series of inflatable arches, plus an interactive neon colouring wall by Scottish illustrator Johanna Basford.
Visitors will also be able to experience a 50-metre multi-sensory walkway designed by Kent-based Lucid Creates, which uses 'the mediums of sound, light, dark, shadows, depth linearity and illusion' to create a distinctive sonic and visual experience, as well as an illuminated slinky spring and giant moon moored to a boat by Newcastle-based Studio Vertigo.
Meanwhile images depicting parts of Aberdeen's rich history will form the centrepiece of Fit D'You Know About the Bon Accord?, a video installation by award-winning Scottish artist Council Baby, which is being hosted in the Sculpture Court area of Aberdeen Art Gallery.
Councillor Martin Greig, cultural spokesman for Aberdeen City Council, which owns and commissions the festival, said: 'Spectra is finally here and we cannot wait for visitors from the city and beyond to revel in the magic that this year's festival offers.
'The planning for this year's festival has been under way for months. A great deal of people have been working with the council to make this event a success.
'There has been excellent collaboration with artists and local groups.
'All the preparation and hard work is going to create wonderful experiences for everyone to enjoy. The opening night is a very happy celebration of all the collective artistic activity.'
Spectra is free to attend and runs at various locations in Aberdeen from 5.30pm to 10pm each night.
More information can be found at www.spectrafestival.com.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Spice Girl Melanie C stuns on romantic island getaway with Australian model boyfriend
Spice Girl Melanie C stuns on romantic island getaway with Australian model boyfriend

New York Post

time18 hours ago

  • New York Post

Spice Girl Melanie C stuns on romantic island getaway with Australian model boyfriend

Spice Girl Melanie C – aka Sporty Spice – looks as fit as ever in these candid new vacation photos. The 90s pop legend, 51, escaped to the island of Mallorca for a romantic getaway with her partner, Australian actor and model Chris Dingwall. Advertisement The loved-up pair each shared a carousel of photos from the vacation on Instagram, with Melanie looking absolutely ripped in a tiny two-piece black bikini – and in another snap, relaxing on a boat while reading a book about the history of ecstasy use in dance music. 4 Spice Girl Melanie C shared photos from her romantic vacation with model Chris Dingwall. @melaniecmusic / Instagram Fans and friends were full of praise for the star in the comments section. 'Seeing Melanie look this healthy and happy melts my heart,' one longtime fan wrote. Advertisement 'Gorgeous to see you so happy and relaxed,' wrote UK broadcaster Kate Thornton. 'You're both so cute together. Love seeing you enjoying moments of love,' another fan gushed. 4 The pop singer captioned her Instagram carousel 'a slice of paradise.' @melaniecmusic / Instagram Dingwall is originally from Sydney but travels the world as a model signed to Ford Models and Chadwick. Advertisement The pair went public at Wimbledon in London last July, days after they were spotted walking hand-in-hand at the iconic Glastonbury festival. But they had been quietly dating for months before that: Melanie's frequent visits to our shores earlier in 2024, ostensibly for DJing gigs, also doubled as quality time with Dingwall as the pair shared romantic getaways in resorts across Brisbane, Byron Bay and the Whitsundays. 4 The 90s pop icon showed off her toned body in the photos. @melaniecmusic / Instagram Since those early days the pair have become more open about their relationship, with Melanie C even professing her 'love' for Dingwall on social media in January after he wished her a happy 51st birthday. Advertisement Furthering her Aussie connection, Melanie C will soon appear as one of the celeb coaches on the next season of Seven's music contest The Voice alongside Ronan Keating, Richard Marx and Kate Miller-Heidke. She was based in Bondi while she lived here to film the season, and also made a surprise appearance at a Sydney gay club in April, filming scenes for a new music video. 4 The couple first went public in July 2024. @melaniecmusic / Instagram Melanie C is undoubtedly the most private of the five Spice Girls when it comes to her love life, largely keeping her relationships out of the public eye since a string of romances with high-profile musicians. She has a teenage daughter from a longtime relationship with ex-partner Thomas Starr. The pair split in 2012 after a decade together. After that, Melanie dated her manager, Joe Marshall, for seven years before they split in 2022.

Alfred McArthur's World Record Challenges: Fighting Back Against the Deadly Cycle of Gang Violence and Drugs in UK Youth
Alfred McArthur's World Record Challenges: Fighting Back Against the Deadly Cycle of Gang Violence and Drugs in UK Youth

Time Business News

timea day ago

  • Time Business News

Alfred McArthur's World Record Challenges: Fighting Back Against the Deadly Cycle of Gang Violence and Drugs in UK Youth

Scottish Actor, Musician, and Former Scots Guard Takes on Dual Physical Feats to Inspire a Generation in Crisis A Nation's Youth at Risk: The Urgent Crisis on UK Streets Across the United Kingdom, the crisis of youth violence and drug addiction is reaching devastating new heights. According to the Office for National Statistics, knife crime involving under-18s surged by 44% between 2019 and 2023, with children as young as 12 becoming victims of fatal attacks. Last year alone, over 50 young people lost their lives in gang-related violence, a heartbreaking toll that communities struggle to comprehend. Beyond the violence, drug misuse among teenagers is at record levels, with the NHS reporting that around 1 in 11 young people aged 11–15 have taken illegal drugs. Many of these children are trapped in environments where the streets seem the only option — and escaping that cycle can be even harder. As one youth worker puts it: 'The streets are hard, but getting out of them can be harder. Without hope, kids give up on themselves — and that's when tragedy happens.' Hope is a powerful thing. It can be the best of things if you never lose it. If you believe that things can change, if you believe in a better future, then you fight for the next generation to have that chance. The reality is stark. Young people are dying on the streets of the UK every day. There is an urgent need for role models who can show these kids a path to a better life — before it's too late. Alfred McArthur: From Soldier and Scots Guard to Star and Champion of Change Alfred McArthur's journey began with discipline and service as a Scots Guard, performing ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace, Trooping the Colour, and Guard of Honour. Those years instilled in him values of resilience, honor, and leadership — qualities he now uses to fight the epidemic destroying young lives. His military background forged a strong foundation of strength and honor, qualities Alfred channels today into his extraordinary mission far beyond the stage and screen. Today, Alfred is not just an actor and musician; he is a beacon of hope for children caught in the crossfire of gang violence and drug abuse. His rise to global fame as Scotland's hottest star, with hit music and an eagerly awaited film, is matched only by his dedication to this urgent cause. Two World Records, One Mission: Giving Kids a Life Before It's Too Late Challenge One: The 24-Hour Non-Stop Boxing Sparring Marathon Alfred will face the brutal physical and mental test of boxing nonstop for 24 hours against professional UK boxers. Boxing is more than sport — it's a discipline that can save lives. Many young people caught up in gangs find boxing gyms offer an escape and a positive community. Alfred's message: 'The streets will take everything from you if you let them. But with discipline and support, you can fight your way out. I want to show kids that another life is possible.' This challenge symbolizes the fight every young person faces when breaking free from the chains of gang culture and drug addiction. It's a fight for survival, for respect, and for a future. Challenge Two: The 630-Mile South West Coast Path Walk in Eight Days Following the boxing marathon, Alfred will embark on a punishing 630-mile trek across the South West Coast Path in just eight days. Camping out and pushing through exhaustion, he will spotlight men's mental health struggles and the importance of endurance — not just physically but emotionally. As Alfred says: 'Mental health is still a silent battle for many men. If we can talk about it openly and show strength in vulnerability, we can save lives.' This journey is a powerful metaphor for the mental and physical struggles so many young men face today. It's a call to confront pain head-on and find the strength to carry on. The Grim Reality: Why This Mission Matters • Youth homicide in London has risen by 80% over the past five years, with over 45,000 knife crime incidents reported nationally in 2023. • Nearly 50% of offenders involved in knife crimes are under 18, revealing the depth of the crisis. • Drug-related deaths among youth have reached an all-time high, particularly from opioids and synthetic substances. • Experts warn if urgent, focused intervention doesn't happen now, the UK risks losing an entire generation to violence and addiction. The streets are unforgiving. Families live in fear. Too many young people have no role models, no mentors, and no hope. Beyond Borders: Taking The Real Street Diary Project to America's Gangs Alfred and his team are not stopping at the UK's borders. After completing these world record challenges, they will fly to the United States to engage with some of the most notorious gangs — the Bloods and Crips — entering the lion's den with courage and compassion. Through The Real Street Diary Project, they will take their message of hope and change directly into communities where violence and addiction have long thrived. Alfred explains: 'Fear won't stop us. These kids need to hear someone believes in them. We're going in with open hearts to help change lifes This bold outreach seeks to build bridges, foster dialogue, and offer alternatives to a life on the streets for young people on both sides of the Atlantic. Alfred's Vision: Discipline, Respect, and Hope Drawing on his military discipline and leadership, Alfred envisions a future where youth have: • Safe, structured environments like boxing gyms and mentorship programs. • Accessible mental health support and open dialogue. • Community backing to lift them from the streets into opportunity. • Positive role models showing the way forward. Alfred's hope is that with increased awareness and support, young people can find the strength to break free from the deadly cycle. Support and Partnerships Alfred is collaborating with leading UK charities, youth outreach groups, and mental health organizations to amplify his impact. Together, they are building pathways out of violence and addiction for young people. A Star for a Cause Alfred McArthur's rise as a film and music is only matched by his commitment to saving lives. From electrifying red carpet premieres to climbing music charts, his greatest mission remains lifting youth from darkness into light. Join the Movement Follow Alfred's journey, support the cause, and help rewrite the future for vulnerable youth: • Witness the 24-hour boxing marathon. • Track the South West Coast Path trek. • Support The Real Street Diary Project as it expands internationally. • Spread hope. Offer alternatives. Be part of the change. Because every child deserves a future — before it's too late. Watch the powerful message from Alfred McArthur here: 👉 Because every child deserves a future — before it's too late. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store