Fruit machines are latest installation on shore at Portobello

Published on Wednesday 28 July 2010 14:14

It might be eye-catching - but it is art?

Visitors who stumble on the latest artwork to hit Portobello beach might be scratching their heads about its artistic merit, but the installation of 13 fruit machines on the sand appears to have received a cautious welcome from the locals.

Black Swan is the work of artist Miles Thurlow, who was commissioned by the Big Things on the Beach project to create the third in this summer's series of public art installations.

The machines, which are sealed to protect them from the elements, cannot be played, but are connected to a power supply so that they flash, creating an eye-catching light display, especially at night.

The installation takes its title from the Black Swan Theory put forward by Wall Street trader and writer Nassim Nicholas Taleb to explain the impact on society of large-scale, unexpected events.

Big Things on the Beach participation worker Susan Grant said the organisation expected the work to be controversial, but hoped it would be backed by residents in Portobello: "It was commissioned by locals who run the Trust, and we advertised for other local people to be involved in selecting the artist.

"We had a group of locals listening to presentations by the artists that had been shortlisted and this is the idea that came up trumps.

"It explores the leisure industry and the resort of Portobello and particularly given the changes in the leisure industry at Portobello over the last century it was quite relevant.

"It is really attractive because it's a bit like fairy lights. There's a real beauty in lots of little lights. It will be controversial, because some people will think it will be really ugly but what we want out of it is debate - if people don't want this kind of art, what kind of art do they like?"

But it seemed her concerns might be unfounded. With the installation only just in place, few residents have yet laid eyes on it, but owner of the Dalriada bar on the Prom, Terry Magill, said he was looking forward to seeing it: "It's good, we fully support it - generally we support anybody that's doing anything on the beach.

"If it's done by Big Things on the Beach, they're a funded arts group and they're sensible people. I'll definitely go up and have a look."

And the secretary of Portobello Community Council, Nick Stroud, said: "I love what they do in general, I like the experimentation. I might not agree with all of what they do, but it will be memorable, whatever I think of it."There have been a lot of entertainments along Portobello shore that have been a bit more uplifting than this, but it's a bit of fun."

The project will be officially launched at 2pm on Saturday on the beach at the foot of King's Road.

Mr Thurlow will chat to visitors at 3pm in the Portobello Public Arthouse.

Black Swan will be on display until September 5 as part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2010.