Electric Garden lights up Madeira Terrace
A winter light artwork for Madeira Terrace was switched-on on 21 December to coincide with the return of the Burning the Clocks parade, which culminates on the beach below Madeira Drive.
The Electric Garden is a neon artwork by local artist Andy Doig. It has been inspired by the plants that grow beneath the arches of Madeira Terrace and will be lit between 4.00pm and 10.00pm every day.
The commission is part of an art programme for Madeira Terrace called Otherworlds… The first phase of the programme invited lighting artists to consider this unique site in relation to the otherworldly plant habitat that has grown here over the last 150 years, and to provide soft lighting to illuminate the area for the winter months. When the dark nights are over it will be retained and used again in other parts of the Terrace.
Otherworlds… is the latest work resulting from our Public Art Strategy, which was launched in April. It is part of Phase 1 of the Madeira Terrace restoration project, which was given planning permission in November this year. Restoration work is due to start on site next autumn.
Andy Doig set up his neon design studio on Madeira Drive in 1995. The Electric Garden is a garden of light made up of sculpted glass tubes designed to echo and highlight the existing plant growth. Each tube has been made entirely by hand from recycled glass at the artist’s studio.
Council Leader Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “Andy Doig has produced this new site-specific artwork for Madeira Terrace. We welcome this vibrant neon light installation, which celebrates and animates our seafront and signals the positive transformation of Madeira Terrace. Art work in this setting will help to explore the fabric of the city, reflecting our unique history, diverse communities, innovation and creativity – key priorities identified in our public art strategy.
“The Electric Garden is a low energy installation devised to visually delight residents and visitors to the seafront over the winter months. Andy works further along Madeira Drive in his neon studio and I want to thank him for this unique installation which compliments the iconic structure of the Terraces. I would also like to give special thanks to Concorde 2 for powering this installation.”
