Moth Kota - Illumination

You are invited to witness the first installation of the Moth Kota, an experimental shelter-sculpture created by visual artist Hannah Imlach in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds at their Loch Lomond nature reserve. The artwork invites visitors to consider how we engage with forms of life less apparent, often-overlooked or little-known. It is a space designed around the behavioural cycles and sensory world of Loch Lomond’s Lepidoptera, and a space where humans can gather; it is a space for multispecies encounter. During July 2021, public audiences will be invited into the Moth Kota through a series of guided events, to witness Illumination, Presence and Release. These events offer various kinds of encounter, each experience will be unique.

Illumination offers an intimate night-time experience of the Moth Kota illuminated within the woodland at RSPB Loch Lomond. The event is ticketed to offer small (household or support bubble) groups designated time to encounter the artwork.

Taking place at the beginning of the nocturnal cycle, Illumination presents an opportunity to walk through the nature reserve by candlelight and witness the dramatically illuminated Moth Kota as moths begin to enter the structure.

Hannah Imlach is a visual artist and researcher who creates sculptural and photographic artworks exploring specific ecologies and environmental perception. Her previous works have investigated community-initiated renewable energy transition, deep-sea coral reefs, and peatland restoration, resulting in site-specific sculpture, film and photographic artworks, alongside public events, and publications. The Moth Kota is her most ambitious work to date and a central element of ‘Close Encounters’, her current practice-led PhD research project at University of Edinburgh, conducted in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and funded by the Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities. Close Encounters has Imlach undertaking fieldwork alongside conservation practitioners at the Loch Lomond nature reserve and developing a series of site-specific artworks.

1. The artwork incorporates a moth-attracting UV light source, which will ‘on’ during Illumination. As UV light can also have a detrimental effect on your eyes, participants will be and provided with ultraviolet protection goggles. It is strongly recommended that these are worn at all times around the sculpture (children’s sizes available, glasses will be cleaned between users).

2. The Moth Kota is part of the wider research project ‘Close Encounters’ on site-specific artwork and environmental perception. After the event you will be invited share your thoughts and experiences in response to a short series of questions. This is an essential part of research process, crucial for the project partners and funders. Thank you in advance for your participation.