Call out for artists for Northern Lights at SPECTRA 2025

‘Northern Lights’ is an interactive augmented reality (AR) wonderland, that will illuminate urban spaces around Aberdeen city centre as part of Scotland’s Festival of Light, SPECTRA, in February.

This is the second year that Look Again at Gray's School of Art will be part of SPECTRA, and organisers hope to shine a light on creative practitioners working across multiple artforms from, or with a connection to the North East of Scotland.

Artists with a connection to the North East of Scotland are encouraged to apply, including anyone who has previously lived, studied, or who is originally from here.

The artworks considered will be used as assets in the Northern Lights AR experience and should consider the theme ‘Journeys’ by exploring site & context, imagined realities, fun, engagement, experimentation, animation/movement, and much more.

Aberdeen based artist Craig Barrowman, an alum from Gray’s School of Art, who is behind the ‘Northern Lights’ project, will collaborate with eight creative practitioners to produce a series of AR digital artworks. These hidden artworks will be activated by the public using smartphone technology, sparking their curiosity and imagination as they travel across the Spectra festival.

Craig Barrowman. Said: "With Northern Lights at SPECTRA 2025, we're turning Aberdeen into a playground of augmented reality and creativity," shares Craig Barrowman, lead artist for the project. "This collaboration with Gray’s School of Art and Look Again lets us spotlight local talent in ways that reawaken the cityscape. We're inviting artists to shape Aberdeen's story through digital art, sparking curiosity and connection as festival-goers explore hidden worlds right here in their own streets."

Sally Reaper, Director of Look Again said: “We are delighted to once again be working in partnership to lead the augmented reality experience ‘Northern Lights’. Last year’s showcase was a real success and celebrated the wealth of talented artists from or with connections to the North East. Gray’s School of Art is committed to supporting arts and culture in the region, and we look forward to welcoming creative practitioners from all backgrounds to share their ideas for the next Northern Lights AR experience.”

“Last year’s Northern Lights showcase included an AR experience inspired by wildlife found in the River Dee and River Don such as otters, seals and salmons from Gray’s alumni, Kirsty Skea from Aberdeen. Multi-disciplinary artist, Sean Wheelan from Dundee, 3D designer and Gray's alumnus, created large speech bubbles that connected different light installations from selected trees across the city whilst landscape garderner, Mark Luurtsema created a rainbow bridge. Elsewhere 3D animator, Si Knox from Aberdeen who is also an alumnus from RGU, created a leopard in Union Terrace Gardens.

Reflecting on last year’s Northern Lights showcase, Si Knox, said: "Being involved in Spectra was an honour. Being invited to create a piece of my own, to be shown with the other talented Northern Lights artists, as well as the other great creatives involved with the main Spectra festival, was a great opportunity and something I am very proud of.

“Spectra is such an exciting event, and Northern lights expands on it by letting lesser known artists show their potentials to the public in new and immersive ways, and it is all thanks to Look Again at Gray’s and RGU. I cannot wait to see what is on the line-up for 2025."

Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson, said: "The Northern Lights Commission is an exciting artistic collaboration for Spectra 2025. It's great that Look Again, RGU and Aberdeen City Councilare bringing artists together to produce innovative work for our popular light festival in the city centre. The teamwork of local and international talent will add to the enjoyment of this cultural celebration right in the heart of the city."

Spectra, Scotland's Festival of Light, is owned and commissioned by Aberdeen City Council and produced by Live Events Management. It is Scotland's largest urban light festival. It attracted over 100,000 visits across the festival in February 2024 and contributed £2.6million in visitor spend. The Northern Lights commission is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund from the UK Government. 

The application deadline is Sunday 10 November at midnight. Applicants must have a connection with the North East of Scotland to apply.

Images from Spectra 2024 Festival - gallery image includes image of Sally Reaper, Director from Look Again and Claire Bruce, Designer at Look Again.