Dive Into Color: Giant Art Transforms Aberdeen’s Historic Pool This September!

Aberdeen's Bon Accord Baths, a historic art deco swimming pool built in 1940, is once again opening its doors to the public, but not for swimming. Instead, the pool is hosting a massive art installation called 'Divers' by artist Tod Hanson. The pool, which closed in 2008 due to budget cuts, has been used for cultural and community events since Bon Accord Heritage took over in 2020. This September, visitors can see Hanson's artwork covering the entire pool floor during the first three weekends. Hanson painted the artwork in his London studio on rolls of wallpaper, then assembled and taped them onto the pool floor in Aberdeen. The installation is part of the citywide Doors Open Day initiative, which allows people to explore unique buildings across Aberdeen. The artwork features shapes that resemble seaweed and fragmented paper, arranged symmetrically along the racing lanes of the pool. The colors shift from grey to green, then to deep green, and finally blossom into yellow and orange. These changing patterns and colors symbolize journeys and transformation, inspired by the pool's racing lanes and tiles. Hanson explained that he wanted to reflect how people move through life, facing challenges and changing along the way. Alison Reid, a retired art teacher and Bon Accord Heritage trustee, said that events like this help breathe life into the building. She admitted the team felt a bit overwhelmed when Hanson first proposed the idea, but they were excited to see the pool used for such a creative purpose. The exhibition also featured musical performances from six local groups, adding to the lively atmosphere. Hanson is known for his large-scale graphic installations and public artworks, including his work with Greenpeace in the 1990s. He was drawn to the Bon Accord Baths after seeing it online and thought it would be an amazing place for his art. He worked remotely from London, using the pool's features as a grid plan for his design. Earlier this year, the venue hosted another art exhibit by Scottish artist Robert Montgomery during the Nuart festival. The Bon Accord Baths has also served as a filming location for the Netflix series Dept Q, showing its versatility as a cultural hub. The building's art deco architecture, with seats surrounding the pool and special lighting, creates a unique setting for art and community events. Leah Byrne, an actress from Dept Q, was seen inside the building, highlighting its connection to the arts and entertainment. The Bon Accord Baths is becoming a place where art, music, and film come together, offering the people of Aberdeen a chance to experience creativity in a historic setting. The temporary installation is open for three weekends in September, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see the pool transformed by Hanson's vibrant artwork. The event is not only a celebration of art but also a reminder of the importance of preserving and revitalizing historic buildings for future generations.