Photograph by Tom Ingrey-Counter
On the last day in August a group from Edinburgh ventured southwest to spend some time in the rolling hills of Dumfries, near Cairnhead. The draw was an art installation on three separate summits; Striding Arches by Andy Goldsworthy.
I had read up about the art pieces before seeing them so that I was more clued up as to what it all meant. Andy had talked about how the red sandstone symbolises the migration of many Scots overseas, ‘of the tremendous upheaval they made’. He hoped that the arches themselves would be a ‘celebration to the Scottish people and the travels they have made... that they will act as a connection between those who have left and those who have stayed here’.
When we arrived and were in view of the arches I thought back to what Andy had said. It made me wonder, how do our intentions affect particular outcomes? What would our experience of the Arches been like had we known nothing of the artist’s intended meaning? Would the knowledge that Andy wanted to imbue the red stones with certain symbolic value shape our interaction with it?
As is often the case with a hill walking group, conversations were in full flow as we stomped over the heather, and I mused on this reflection as we clambered over the curving structures, getting a different perspective of the surrounding landscape. Documentation was a must, as pictures were snapped and memories stored. We ate our lunch by the stones and enjoyed moments of gazing at the view.
Descending from the last peak we found a passage-way through the thicket of tree plantations. It had been a good excuse to see this part of the country. I doubt whether we would have spent a day on that lonely natural amphitheatre had the art installation not been there. My senses on this Coracle outing had definitely made some strides.
I don’t think I would’ve instantly thought about the Scots who have gone overseas upon encountering the Arches had I not known that that was Andy’s intended interpretation. The arches, I thought, were awash with potent symbol and at the same time just simple stones. It made me think of Padraig O’Tuama when he says, “you will find meaning, when you give meaning”. How do you feel your intentions affect the outcome of what you are trying to achieve?
Kevin Aiken