Mass artworks to celebrate Orkney’s dark skies

Two Green Space Dark Skies events are to illuminate the Orcadian night this week.

The open air experiences use Siemens Geo lights to illuminate some of the most spectacular areas of the UK’s natural landscape.

The first Orkney event, in North Ronaldsay, will help mark the island’s Dark Sky status, conferred last year by the International Dark Sky Association, and — weather dependant — is scheduled to take place tomorrow night.

The second will take place this Saturday, August 20.

Beginning at the Stromness Town Hall organisers Walk The Plank have laid on an immersive mixed reality show led by Miroshot front man Roman Rappak.

This ten minute Virtual Reality show will introduce the participants to the Green Space Dark Skies theme.

Then there will also be live music from The Dalmar Chorus and Astrid, storytelling and a presentation from EMEC.

When ready, those who have signed up will be bussed to the “secret location” in order to take part in the Dark Skies mass participation artwork, where groups of volunteers will arrange themselves and their Geo lights along the landscape.

Green Space Dark Skies have previously held events across the UK including at the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland, the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales and the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.