Group of designers and writers unveil plan to transform Edinburgh bus route

Published on Saturday 26 December 2009 10:08

THE nearest most Edinburgh buses come to the art world is when they pass the National Gallery complex on Princes Street.

But one of the Capital's bus routes is set to be taken over as part of an innovative project to showcase the work of local writers and artists.

The number 26 service, which runs between Clerwood and Tranent, will be branded to promote the Artery project, which has been dreamt up by a not-for-profit group of writers and designers.

The group – itself called 26 – hopes to locate artworks at bus stops along the route if it receives the funding it needs to finance the project.

Poll: Is displaying artwork on buses throughout the city a good idea?

While the project is still at an early stage, it has already won the backing of the Lord Provost, Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature and Edinburgh Zoo.

The 26 Connect bus route boasts a new fleet of buses introduced earlier this year and passes such Edinburgh landmarks as the zoo and Portobello beach.

If fundraising for the project is successful, Artery will take place at various points along the route in November.

Lothian Buses' managing director, Ian Craig, said: "The Artery project is an exciting idea featuring the entire length of one of our most popular bus routes which demonstrates how important this bus service is to the lives of many people in Edinburgh and Lothians.

"The 26 route is indeed the lifeblood of the city's transport system, a vital artery reaching across the city."

Stuart Delves, director of 26 (Scotland), said it was hoped the buses would carry Artery branding and that bus stops would feature the work of the 13 writer/artist teams taking part in the project.

He said: "The response to this project from writers and artists and prospective partners, including Lothian Buses, has been universally enthusiastic.

"I really hope we secure the necessary funding as Artery has the potential to be a wonderful, engaging and thought-provoking happening on a very public scale."

Earlier this year, buses on the 26 route were wrapped in animal designs – including penguin, tiger, chimpanzee, zebra and rainbow lorikeet prints – to help promote bus travel to Edinburgh Zoo.

The vehicle painted to look like a zebra later won a vote among Lothian Buses' customers to find their favourite customised vehicle.

AND HERE'S SOME WACKY PROJECTS WE MADE EARLIER:

Hollie Smith's cheeky gender reassignment of Edinburgh council's 'Joe Public' sculpture, which was dressed as a Suffragette, right, to protest against a shortage of female sculptures in the city.

- Comic book artist Simon Grennan's bid to bring a giant inflatable sculpture to Portobello beach.

- Public arts group Big Things On The Beach, which displays artworks on Portobello beach and in public gardens.

- Cramond residents' purchase of a giant fish sculpture by Ronald Rae, one of 12 works by Rae which included Holyrood Park's Lion of Scotland.

- Edinburgh College of Art student Alex Allan's installation of functional kiln and driftwood sculptures on the Water of Leith.

- Craigmillar Community Art's brush with the law after painting a police box pink.

Do you think more of the city's buses should feature artworks?

Alexander Alexander, 82, retired postman, Calder Gardens: "The loonies are running the asylum! As useful as Tracey Emin's unmade bed."

Christopher Fentiman, 73, retired driving instructor, Polwarth Gardens: "Only on a temporary basis. People need to recognise their bus."

Sheila Fraser, 47, publican, Mansfield Park, Dalkeith: "Edinburgh is a very traditional city and I don't think we should be letting a bunch of wacky artists near our buses."