Open Invitation to 3 Virtues Public Space Launch
The public is being invited to attend a special event at Church Street, Inverness, on Thursday (6 March) to celebrate the launch of an art installation symbolising Inverness’ three new virtues - perseverance, open-heartedness and insight. The event begins at 6.15 pm. The art project involved a year long search for three contemporary virtues, which are now permanently represented on the street as three dramatic outcrops of Caithness stone, each with a single birch tree growing from it. The Three Virtues are a symbol of the rebirth of the Old Town area and form a new public space for both locals and visitors to enjoy.
Prominent Public Artist Matt Baker is the creative power behind the project and the opening event provides an opportunity for the people of Inverness and the Highlands to come along and enjoy a ‘lively concoction of music dance and design’ and to see shop windows in this part of the Old Town transformed by local talent to signify some of the ‘spare virtues’ originally suggested by locals but that did not make the final three.
Matt said “One of the biggest successes of the Inverness Old Town Art programme is the way it has created opportunities for emerging local talent and engaged ordinary folk in the future of their city. Both these are reflected in the ‘Shop Window Project’ to celebrate the 3 Virtues, with local artists like DUFI, Annie Marrs and Sarah Barnes working with local traders to put on a very special show.
“The entertainment programme will begin at 6.15pm blending traditional music and contemporary dance with a little bit of acting thrown in for good measure. The performances are designed to show the flexibility of the Caithness stone platforms, and of the overall space, for hosting small scale events or gatherings.
“The Rendezvous Café will be providing catering on the night, with Caithness soup, tree shaped gingerbread biscuits and hot toddies continuing the event’s theme. With the shop windows dressed up, the entertainment mix and early evening time slot it promises to be a great family event or after work distraction. Hundreds of magic tree shaped invitations have been sent or emailed out but everyone one is welcome and they can pick up a souvenir magic tree on the night.
Provost Bob Wynd, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee is looking forward to the evening but also reflects on the inspiration behind Matt’s artwork.
Provost Wynd said “There is more than a little serendipity about the timing of all this. The new virtues in place on Church Street pay homage to the 19th Century Andrew Davidson statues that we are in the process of bringing home from Orkney. The older generation will be glad to see Faith, Hope and Charity, an important part of our heritage returned to the city while younger people will, perhaps, identify more closely with the more contemporary virtues of Perseverance, Insight and Open-heartedness. Both sets of artworks have a role to play in a modern Inverness that is forward-thinking yet values its historical and cultural assets. I strongly encourage people to come along and see for themselves the transformation we are making to our city centre.”
The 3 Virtues artwork is part of the Inverness Old Town Art programme being implemented as part of the £6m City Centre Streetscape & Traffic Management Programme. It has been made possible by funding contributions from: Scottish Government, The Highland Council, Inverness Common Good Fund, HIE Inverness & East Highland, HITRANS and the Scottish Arts Council.