Fraser Gray

immersive arts

enter text here

Back in 2016, Martin and I first pitched the idea of a projection mapped stage set mural for another location, imagining a surrealist trompe l’oeil stage complete with scaffolding, rigging, props, and lighting. Fast forward to 2022, when we revisited the concept and pitched it to Summerhall during the Edinburgh Festivals.
The mural was realised as a standalone piece, capturing that moment of sitting in the audience just before a show begins. But the idea of layering performances through AR or projection mapping has stayed with us. This reel is a small experiment showing how it might work—blending physical art with digital storytelling.
It’s exciting to see how a concept first imagined in 2016 can continue to evolve

Inspired by east coast fishing traditions, the concept comes from an old superstition that the weather could be controlled by untying knots in a special rope—‘one knot would give a breeze, the second a gale, and the third a storm’.  In the mural, these knots are used to mend a fishing net, something the whole community would come together to do. The different knots and ropes come together to symbolise the strength and connection of the community. The last section shifts into a weave, a reference to the nearby United Wire factory. 甆

This animation explores the act of tying and untying as a metaphor for connection, tension, and release. The rope slowly tying itself reflects the careful, deliberate effort needed to create bonds, while its disappearance speaks to the transient nature of these connections. It’s part of an augmented experience I’m experimenting with for the mural on MacMillan Terrace, created for the Pennywell Heritage Arts Trail.

Originally, this shoal of fish was intended as part of the mural design for MacMillan Terrace (created for the Pennywell Heritage Arts Trail), but I couldn’t quite achieve the right visual and thematic balance. This animation test, as part of an augmented experience, feels like a natural way to explore the idea further. I was initially drawn to the subtle gradient created by the fish as a way to further explore colour within the concept. It’s still a bit glitchy, but that’s all part of the process

Immersive Arts Application