denny Architectural Art & Design

Alison Kinnaird has an international reputation as a visual artist and musician. One of the world's leading glass engravers, with work in public, royal and private collections throughout Europe, America and the Far East. The glass ranges from small intimate pieces, to architectural installations which incorporate light and colour. A recipient of many awards and winner of many competitions, her contribution was recognized in 1997, when she was presented with an MBE for services to art and music. Her glass installation work 'Psalmsong' was made possible by a Creative Scotland Award from the Scottish Arts Council in 2002. It took a year to complete, and utilises engraved crystal panels with dichroic colour and optical fibre lighting, digital photography, printed textiles & music. The glass work is based around a piece of music of the same name, composed & performed by Alison on the Scottish harp. The notes of the melody were recorded & analysed, and the patterns produced by sampling across the soundwave formed the basis of the glass design. The human figures & the colours represent the emotion in the music. The lights & colours make use of optical fibre technology & the shadow projected by the engraving was photographed & digitally printed to produce a shadow banner, 4.5m long, which hangs behind the glass. 'Psalmsong' is now in the permanent collection of Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh. This film, which, shows the installation in its entirety and in detail, was directed by ...