The latest in a series of ‘shutter art’ is set to be unveiled today at telescope and microscope business Paradigm Shift on Leith Walk.
The piece, by artist Dave Lemm, forms part of a project that transforms blank shop shutters along Edinburgh’s iconic thoroughfare into a canvas for local artists to showcase their talents.
Councillor Gordon Munro, vice-convener of the Economic Development Committee, said:- “This series is a great example of businesses and artists in Leith working together to bring some extra life to the community. Having these colourful additions to shopfronts helps to create a positive impression of the area, especially after hours.”
Keith Hales, vice chair of Leith Business Association, added:- “The support from the Council and LeithLate to show off the best of business and artistic talent is very welcome and I’m sure will be widely appreciated by residents and visitors alike.”
Paradigm Shift owner Marc Surtress said: “It’s a natural step for us to be involved in an arts initiative given that telescopes show celestial objects of breathtaking beauty and microscopes that help us to see the incredible complexity of rocks, minerals and crystals from under the ground.”
Dave Lemm added: “Cosmology already features in my work so it’s great that I was able to work with Paradigm Shift on this project. I wanted to use the crystal structures from the shop to create a pattern that resembles a star chart and the structure of the shutter creating a grid that helps to create order from apparent chaos.”
The project is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council’s I Love Leith initiative and LeithLate – an annual multi-arts event which works to promote local artistic talent.
I Love Leith is part of a programme to build stronger town centres in Edinburgh and LeithLate is the community’s annual multi-arts event which takes place each June.
The first shutter to be completed was Gamesmasters Games Exchange on Leith Walk which took on a 2D retro gaming-style ‘landscape’ reflecting the business. A further four are already set to follow.
Businesses on Leith Walk interested in the project should contact Sarah Woodford at sarah.woodford@edinburgh.gov.uk orMorvern Cunningham of LeithLate – leithlate@gmail.com
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