Edinburgh church transformed by artwork featuring 2,300ft of bungee cords

A multi-talented designer has transformed the outside of a city church with a stunning interactive art installation.

The installation is entitled Deeply Woven

The thought-provoking work at Liberton Northfield Church in Gilmerton Road is entitled “Deeply Woven” and is intended to reflect people’s connection with the divine.

It is made up of 2,300 feet of white bungee cord strands fastened to the exterior wall of the building and anchored to the ground. One cord is red to symbolise Jesus Christ’s love for all humanity. Its impact is heightened by red and purple atmospheric lighting.

And there’s a QR code that members of the public are invited to scan with their smart phones to enable them to interact and share their thoughts.

Jennifer Sturrock worked until recently at the Victoria & Albert museum in London

It is hoped it will inspire visitors and help to counter feelings of isolation and loneliness that have been exacerbated by Covid-19 restrictions.

The installation is the work of Jennifer Sturrock, a 32-year-old multidisciplinary artist, designer and educator, who was until recently the senior producer of residencies at the Victoria & Albert museum in London, the world's leading museum of art, design and performance.

She said: “My hopes for the exhibit are that it will spark curiosity in people who would not ordinarily step through the door of a church or even think about a spiritual element to the season of Advent.

“In a time of global isolation and disconnection experienced by so many during the pandemic, I wanted to explore the idea of interwoven textures and underlying fabric of community that still holds true, despite the outer circumstances.

Minister the Rev Attie van Wyk hopes people will use their phones to scan the QR code

“I’ve always been intrigued by the nature of thread and fibre and its ability to articulate that process of weaving and integration.

“A bit like light itself - vibrational waves or strands that continually manifest invisible matter into tangible, visible substance - grounding us to ourselves, the earth and each other.”

Miss Sturrock, who completed a master’s degree on “The Idea of Beauty - Theology and the Arts” from King’s College London, said the artwork aimed to create space for questions and words of hope.

“We invite people to share messages that allow us to connect to each other at a time when we cannot easily meet or travel due to the pandemic restrictions,” she added.

The installation is on display until January 3

“Send us your messages - prose, prayers, poems or pictures - and we will post them online. They can be for friends and family in our local communities, across the city or for the world - we welcome all.”

Miss Sturrock collaborated with Liberton Northfield Church minister, Rev Attie van Wyk, who took up his role in April this year.

He said: “It is a wonderful installation and my hope is that passers-by will stop and use their phones to scan the QR code to learn about its meaning and engage.

“Although the church has not been used as normal this year due to the pandemic, the exhibition helps people connect with each other and Christ this Advent season.”

The installation is on display until January 3 and floodlit between 4pm-10pm, Monday to Sunday. A company called Studiotech provided the LED lighting.

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