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ATHLETES CRISS-CROSS OVER THE LANDSCAPE LIKE FIREFLIES it’s not long before the light suits of the runners are in view: co-ordinated teams of athletes criss-crossing over the landscape like i rel ies, their lights and movements synchronised like a i rework display. It’s a pretty impressive sight. Our walk is slow, and we make frequent stops – the groups are carefully co-ordinated, although a couple of times two groups meet and there’s a bit of confusion. As one walker says, it’s rather like herding cats. The speed of the walk is frustrating at times, but it’s clear that we’re part of the show – when we stop and see the other groups below us, it’s like watching trains snaking through the darkness. As we approach the top, we’re treated to beautiful views across to Fife and the Lothians, and i reworks over the castle at the end of the Tattoo. Just beneath the peak of Arthur’s Seat, as we stop to watch the runners below, our light sticks start to hum. Each has a device that activates at a particular altitude and creates a sound composition that will be different on every walk. As a group, we’re making the music. Chris Weaver, of
P H O T O S © S A L L Y J U B B
NVA: SPEED OF LIGHT Resonance Radio Orchestra, is in my group. He and his colleague Ed Baxter designed the audio for Speed of Light. ‘Each one is a baby synthesiser,’ he explains. ‘They produce a random score each night
and create a group composition.’ It feels like we’re part of the installation, and chatting to Chris gives some indication of just how much work has gone into creating and co- ordinating this work that it feels good to be part of. He climbed Arthur’s Seat 26 times in the three weeks before the Festival (‘27 now!’) to make sure the audio went smoothly, which it has done. ‘We’re really pleased with how it’s gone tonight – the conditions are just absolutely perfect.’
Speed of Light, 15–19, 22-27, 29-31 Aug and 1 Sep, £24 (£18). Guided walking groups meet at Speed of Light base, Holyrood Park, every 15 minutes at 9.15pm, 9.30pm, 9.45pm, 10pm, 10.15pm, 10.30pm, 10.45pm and 11pm.
16–23 Aug 2012 THE LIST 15