Liberal Democrat Councillor for Banchory & Mid Deeside Learn more
by Karen Clark on 12 January, 2014
I am looking forward very much to the artistic duo DUFI from Tain unveiling their innovative proposals for making major changes to the centre of Banchory.
Working with the local community for three months, DUFI artists Alister MacInnes and Fin Macrae are preparing to reveal their ideas for rejuvenating Scott Skinner Square this week.
As I told our local paper the Deeside Piper : ” We had a presentation from DUFI the artists to the Banchory Town Centre Improvement Group at the end of November where they showed us their ideas.
I think the proposals are exciting and there is a theme to the artwork which reflects the Scott Skinner legacy but in a very innovative way.
They’ve drawn extensively on the many consultations they have had with all sections of the community, local groups and the individuals in Banchory who participated in their drop-in sessions at their artist’s hub in the High Street.
The Square is in sore need of a revamp and and hopefully these proposals will get people enthused but art is always subjective so it will be interesting to get local reaction once the ideas are unveiled. I would hope as many people as possible will come along and give their views.
Whatever the end result, we want the community itself owning the ideas and feeling that this is their Square. The funding from Aberdeenshire council was to help regenerate our town centres and let’s hope this gives us the opportunity to make the Square more attractive for everyone.
A public exhibition of the proposals will go on display from January 16 to 18 at Banchory Town Hall.
The DUFI pair were tasked with ideas and designs for refurbishing the square into an attractive and vibrant civic space, a focal point for Banchory town centre, along with creating a new brand identity for the town as a whole.
Setting up an Open Design Studio in Banchory’s High Street, Alister and Fin have spoken to hundreds of residents to find out what the town means to local people and visitors, and to gather ideas and inspiration for their final designs. The pair have also attended a wide range of community events in an effort to engage with as many people as possible. DUFI have been supported by the Woodend Barn throughout the period of their community engagement.
Inspired by the achievements and lifestyle of the square’s namesake, DUFI have modelled their proposals for Scott Skinner Square on one of his most famous tunes, Bonnie Banchory.
Their plans include a contemporary overhead entranceway to the square, a collection of polished stainless steel tubes, flowing to the score of Bonnie Banchory and using the colours chosen by local people as best representing the town.
The proposals also incorporate elements of the artwork and the colours into the paving at the entrance to Scott Skinner Square, helping to draw even more attention to the public space.
New lighting columns are proposed for the square itself, towering over visitors and supporting wooden sculptures at the top which continue the Bonnie Banchory inspired theme.
DUFI are also proposing new seating for the square, around 20 individual seats scattered around the area along with two picnic tables and benches.
The public exhibition will be from January 16 to 18 at Banchory Town Hall. The exhibition will be open at:
•?Thursday 16 January – 12pm to 6pm
•?Friday 17 January – 12pm to 6pm
•?Saturday 18 January – 9am to 5pm
Local people will have the chance to see the designs, speak to Alister and Fin about their ideas and leave feedback on the proposals.
The artists also hope to run a series of walking tours around Scott Skinner Square, talking people through their plans and how they will look in the public space.
The proposals will also be available on the Woodend Barn website (www.woodendbarn.com/bassline/) later this week.
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