A camera in a hut

Both Nam Faileas: Hut of Shadows

A walk, between showers, from Lochmaddy brought us to this small, turf-roofed bothy on the headland. You have to duck through a narrow entrance and make your way along a curved passageway leading to a small chamber, all in pitch darkness. When your eyes become accustomed to the dark, you see a picture of the loch and the landscape around projected on the wall. It is done by means of a lens and three mirrors - a camera obscura in fact. It's quite fascinating.

The work was commissioned by the local Arts Centre, Taigh Chearsabhagh, with the Scottish Arts Council and was created in 1997 by environmental artist Chris Drury. I was keen to see this, as I have followed his work in the past. He has created some amazing pieces all over the world. Look here to find out more and see some examples.

His Statement says: My work makes connections between different phenomena in the world, specifically between Nature and Culture, Inner and Outer and Microcosm and Macrocosm. To this end I collaborate with scientists and technicians from a broad spectrum of disciplines and use whatever visual means, technologies and materials best suit the situation.


So - Hut of Shadows and another seascape. Our last day on North Uist tomorrow and we think it might be sunny!!