The man who is helping bring a spectacular luminarium to Dundee city centre has said he believes it will mean as much to the city as visits of The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
Andi Lothian is the founder of learning development company Insights which, together with software developers Ninja Kiwi, is sponsoring the arrival of the giant inflatable luminarium in Dundee as part of the Summer Streets festival on July 20 and 21.
But he began his career as a music promoter bringing legendary acts including David Bowie to the Caird Hall stage.
He said: “My career was in entertainment and I brought The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie here but those were narrow interests.
“This is for the whole city and people who come here will be able to see what Dundee has been doing, It is light years ahead of other places.”
The 10,000 square foot luminarium will only be in display in Dundee and London this year.
Fittingly, it was previously on display in Liverpool in 2017 to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ landmark album Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Mr Lothian added: “Insights are extremely proud of our Dundee roots and, having our global headquarters in this remarkable city, provides us with an opportunity to champion Dundee’s gifts.
“We’re delighted to jointly bring the luminarium to the city as part of this year’s Summer Streets Festival, and trust that everyone who visits enjoys exploring the installation, perhaps to experience a personal self-discovery for themselves.”
Dundee City Council city development convener Alan Ross said: “It’s going to be really exciting. It follows on from last year’s event which was a huge success and I’m really grateful to the local businesses that have got involved this year to help make it happen.”
The Overgate is the weekend’s headline sponsor with Insights, Ninja Kiwi and UNESCO City of Design also partnering with Dundee City Council on the event.
As well as the luminarium, other highlights will include a maze at McManus Art Gallery and Museum, city tours and treasure hunts departing from Reform Street and music and street performances from theatre company Surge, alongside Dundee’s Farmers Market.
Overgate centre manager Malcolm Angus said: “Overgate is delighted and proud to be supporting this year’s Dundee’s Summer Streets Festival as headline sponsor. The heart of the city will be the place to be across two action-packed days with a fantastic variety of all-ages entertainment and attractions.”
Alan Parkinson, the artist who designed the luminarium, said the Dundee event will be one-of-a-kind.
He said: “We are really excited about bringing The Luminarium to Dundee. No two visits are the same as the atmosphere inside alters according to changing weather and changing light outside. The experience is also affected by how the public inhabits the luminarium – each visitor forms part of the living sculpture.”
