Bordalo II Transforms Aberdeen’s Trash into a Mythical Unicorn, Nuart Aberdeen 2018

Nuart Aberdeen returned to the Granite City for its second Street Art Festival this April, curated by the team behind Stavanger’s internationally renowned Nuart Festival.

Bordalo II was invited to bring his ‘Big Trash Animal’ series to Aberdeen, and decided to make a Trash Unicorn, Scotland’s national animal.

Bordalo’s Trash Animals are made out of discarded and recycled materials bringing much needed awareness to waste production and pollution, and its effect on the planet.

The piece, which is made entirely from end of life materials gathered from Aberdeen and the surrounding area, alludes not only to the threat that pollution poses to animals but to the human race, our dreams, customs and ideas.

“It’s not about turning the trash into something beautiful, it’s about creating images of victims with what kills them.” Bordalo II

With Scotland being famed for its love for, and long history of, myths and legends, it’s no surprise that Bordalo II picked up on this fabled creature and its significance within Scottish cultural heritage.

The unicorn was first used on the Scottish royal coat of arms by William I in the 12th century, perhaps due to the popular myth that it is the only animal capable of killing a lion – the national animal of England.

When Scotland and England unified under the reign of James VI of Scotland in 1603, the Scottish Royal Arms had two unicorns supporting a shield. When James VI became James I of England and Ireland, he replaced the unicorn on the left of the shield with the lion to show that the countries were indeed united.

Check out the video and interview of Bordalo ii by Fifth Wall TV below…

Nuart Aberdeen is developed in collaboration with Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen City Council, providing a platform for local, national and international artists to showcase their work through a series of site-specific murals, installations, interventions, and temporary exhibitions.

 

Photo Credit Brian Tallman Photography

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