Moth Kota - Presence

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.

Presence occupies the daylight hours after the Moth Kota illumination when visitors are invited to observe Lepidoptera within the artwork. Moths will be present within the sculpture, nestled in undergrowth and resting on surfaces. They may be difficult to spot!

Visitors will have access to the artwork from 6am, and early-risers will have the best chance of encountering moths in and around the structure. This is a free event, open 6am – 4pm. We encourage visitors to be respectful of others and maintain social distancing around the artwork.

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 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.