Multi-disciplinary artist and designer Andy McGregor has teamed up with two of Scotland’s most exciting musicians, cellist Su-a Lee and fiddler/composer Donald Grant to create a compelling site-specific installation to be premiered in St Fillan’s Cave in Pittenweem at East Neuk Festival.
The Light, the Bell & the Burden explores mysteries around belief, folklore and healing through St. Fillan and the relics connected to him. Amongst these relics are eight river stones which are said to have specific healing properties; the saint’s bronze bell (known as The Bernane), also used for healing; and perhaps most curiously, the arm and hand of the saint himself (The Mayne) which is said to have glowed with light allowing the saint to write sermons in the cave and as a preserved relic, it played a part in Robert the Bruce’s success at Bannockburn.
The video will be installed inside the coastal cave where St Fillan is said to have lived as a hermit towards the end of his life (d.770AD). It features a recorded performance of The Witch of Leanachan a dramatic and haunting piece written by fiddle player/composer Donald Grant who is joined by maverick, genre-bending cellist Su-A-Lee (Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Mr McFall’s Chamber).
Commissioned by ENF with support from Event Scotland’s National Events Programme.
