Join us for this special event hosted by the Scottish Society for Art History. Dr Andrew Demetrius (University of St Andrews) leads a walking tour of the public art in Livingston, West Lothian.
Livingston was established as a New Town to attract people and industry to a new urban environment designed to contribute to the social and economic modernisation of Scotland. From the late 1960s public art grew to form a key aspect of the town’s visual culture and placemaking, and to offset the starkness of the new townscape and repetitive housing districts. While some work has been lost over the years, new works have since been added, and a programme of conservation has been undertaken that recognises public art as significant part of the modernist heritage and social history of Livingston.
The tour will look at work by former town artist Denis Barns in Howden and Dedridge residential areas that exploit concrete and infrastructure, as well as later public art commissions around the town centre. We will also explore the relation of public art to elements of new town architecture and planning, its place in the community, and the balance of the utopian with the utilitarian.
Please meet by the bus stop / drop-off point outside Livingston South railway station on Murieston Road.
Access: The terrain is mostly gentle walking on public footpaths though there will be some steps. If you have any queries please contact SSAH events organiser Matthew Jarron on museum@dundee.ac.uk