Photo Illusions Created by Homeless Young Scots go on Show
An exhibition of mind-bending photographic illusions created by young people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, opens in Edinburgh just before Christmas.
Article Source: Scottish Festivals PR
Last Updated: 18 December 2019 11:37
Mind-Bending Photo Illusions Created by Homeless Young Scots go on Show
See trailer Here.
An exhibition of mind-bending photographic illusions created by young people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, opens in Edinburgh just before Christmas.
The Power of Perspective features a host of striking images that play with perceptions and perspectives – with shadow people flying real balloons and juggling coloured balls and “invisible” people reflected in water.
The project involved a group of 16 to 25-year-olds from around Scotland supported by the Rock Trust who worked with illusion expert Professor Richard Wiseman and the Edinburgh International Magic Festival – known as MagicFest.
Running from 22 December to 26 January, and free to see, The Power of Perspective is being hosted at two venues.
The photos will be displayed at the Scottish Storytelling Centre and visitors can then go into The Museum of Edinburgh to find out the secrets behind how the illusions were created.
Prof. Wiseman, who is also the writer of the MagicFest children’s show You Are Magic, said: “I really enjoyed working with these young people – they had such enthusiasm and imagination. The pictures they have created are superb and it will be really fun for visitors to see if they can work out how some of the illusions were created.
“Illusions help people to perceive the world in a different way, and I hope that will happen here. Likewise, it is important that we make myths surrounding homelessness vanish and replace them with a more accurate way of seeing what’s really going on.”
The Power of Perspective is an outreach project being run as part of the 10th annual MagicFest, which is bringing magical events of all kinds to the city over Christmas and the New Year.
Organisers, Svetlana McMahon and her magician husband Kevin Quantum, believe that sharing the skills involved in magic can bring major benefits to young people.
Svetlana said: “Looking at these photos you can see straight away how much the young people have learned – it takes a lot of skill to create photographic illusions.
“This was a brilliant way for them to gain confidence by getting involved with something that is really creative, lots of fun and got great results. They have every reason to be very proud that the illusions they have created are being included in a public exhibition.
“We really hope that the project can help these young people to be seen and heard and contribute to their transition to adulthood while avoiding or moving on from homelessness.”
Rock Trust is a youth homelessness charity that has been based in Edinburgh since 1991. As part of its youth development services in Edinburgh, it runs weekly groups for young people that focus on skill-development and creating new opportunities. A significant aspect of this involves working in partnership with other local groups and organisations, to increase participants’ networks and open new doors.
The partnership with MagicFest has been a successful example, offering young people attending the group a chance to develop their photography skills and work alongside professional magicians, illusionists and photographers.
Kate Polson, Rock Trust CEO, said: “Providing our young people with opportunities to develop their skills and share their perspectives is an integral part of what we do at Rock Trust and we were delighted to work with Edinburgh Magic Festival on this project.
“The final pieces that have been produced are phenomenal and the young people involved are rightly proud of what they’ve created. We would highly recommend everyone go along and see the exhibition in person.”
One of the youth participants added: “Being involved in this project and having the opportunity to play a small part in how homeless young people and homelessness are viewed has been very humbling and rewarding. I hope this exhibition will show we are just young people who have had bumps in the road and no one is safe or immune from the grasps of homelessness, it can happen to anyone. This exhibition and these illusions aim to show how we feel and our opinions.”
The exhibition is just one of the attractions at the Scottish Storytelling Centre during the festive season.
Daniel Abercrombie, Programme & Events Manager, Scottish Storytelling Centre, said: “For the second year running we are pleased to partner with MagicFest to see our exhibition wall covered in the young people’s illusions and tricks. How did they do it? I have no idea, but it looks great fun!”
Councillor Donald Wilson, Edinburgh’s Convener of Culture and Communities said: “This exhibition is a fantastic example of a positive collaboration between our city’s venues, museums and galleries and one of our exciting local festivals.
“Once visitors have seen the mind-boggling images in the Scottish Storytelling Centre they can visit us in the Museum of Edinburgh to see what was involved in their creation. A fascinating insight, everyone can appreciate the new skills learned as well as all the hard work by the young people that has been put into the exhibition. Come along and witness the magic”.
See the exhibition:
• Where: Enjoy the illusions at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SR and then see how they were created at the Museum of Edinburgh 142-146, Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD.
• When: Sunday 22 December to Sunday 26 January.
• Entry: Free.
• Times: See magicfest.co.uk website for exact opening hours during holiday season.
Funding partners and sponsors: Jessops, Kiran’s Trust, Scotmid, University of Hertfordshire. Venue partners: Scottish Storytelling Centre, Museums & Galleries Edinburgh.
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Distillers Fair returns for its 25th year at the The Scotch Whisky Experience
This December, The Scotch Whisky Experience invites guests to raise a dram to a quarter-century of discovery as the Distillers’ Fair returns for its 25th year.
READ MORE
National Galleries of Scotland celebrate the return of Surrealism collection
Scotland’s world class collection of surrealist art is back home in Modern One and free to visit from 17th December 2025.
READ MORE
The Johnnie Walker Experience named Europe and The World Leading Spirit Tourism Experience again.
Two in a row: The Johnnie Walker Experience has once again been named Europe and The World’s Leading Spirit Tourism Experience at the 2025 World Travel Awards(WTA).
READ MORE
Dynamic Earth Announces Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer
Dynamic Earth is pleased to announce the appointment of Gwilym Gibbons as its new Chief Executive Officer, following a rigorous and far-reaching recruitment process.
READ MORE
Edinburghs Christmas adds themed skating sessions
Edinburgh's Christmas has added new special themed skating sessions to run throughout the season.
READ MORE
Vue Edinburgh Omni set to dazzle with new Laser by Barco technology
Film fans in Edinburgh can now enjoy the latest releases in even greater clarity and colour with the arrival of Laser by Barco projection technology at Vue Edinburgh Omni.
READ MORE
Deer Park backs Livingston FC Community young footballers with kit sponsorship
Deer Park is helping to kickstart the footballing journey of young players by sponsoring new training kits, match kits, and rain jackets for the Livingston FC Community’s 2017 age group.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
Dance Base to celebrate 25th year in Grassmarket home
2026 represents a landmark year for Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, as the organisation celebrates 25 years in its purpose-built home in the heart of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Zoo welcomes second rare sloth bear
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed a second male sloth bear, named Rajath.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn unveils 1875 Arctic Ale in tribute to legendary North Pole expedition
A ‘KNOCK-OUT’ new beer has been unveiled inside an ice sculpture in Edinburgh to celebrate 150 years since the legendary North Pole expedition it was originally brewed for.
READ MORE
National Galleries of Scotland get their skates on to recreate iconic Skating Minister
To celebrate World Ice Skating Day on 14 December, the National Galleries of Scotland got their skates on to recreate one of the most iconic paintings, Sir Henry Raeburn’s Skating Minister.
READ MORE
Everyman presents Nationwide preview screenings of Sentimental Value
See the highly anticipated new comedy drama before anyone else, with preview screenings at Everyman cinemas nationwide.
READ MORE
Enlightenment an Immersive Experience set to transform McEwan Hall in Edinburgh
Swiss art collective PROJEKTIL brings its vivid light and sound show to Edinburgh from 31 January, following acclaimed runs in Glasgow, Liverpool and Leeds
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership bringing together Scotland's most celebrated writers and musicians!
READ MORE
Hogmanay celebrations at Lost Shore set to kick 2026 off with a bang
Lost Shore Surf Resort, Europe’s largest inland surf destination, is gearing up for a spectacular start to 2026 with a packed programme of festive events.
READ MORE
Chief Executive of The Scotch Whisky Experience awarded highest international honours in the whisky world
The Scotch Whisky Experience is proud to announce that Chief Executive Susan Morrison has been inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame,
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Isaac McHale and Stuart Ralston Burns Night in Edinburgh
On Sunday 25th January, for one night only, Isaac McHale returns to his native Scotland for a Burns Night dinner with Stuart Ralston at his Michelin-starred Lyla.
READ MORE
Funded Debut Fringe for Scottish comedians returns for 2nd year
Scottish comedy producer Brass Tacks Comedy is once again offering one Scottish or Scotland-based comedian a funded Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut for 2026, supported by Red Bull UK.
READ MORE
Celebrate the New Year with a sparkling experience at The Ivy Edinburgh
With toasts to celebrate the new year breaking around the world, the experience is not to be missed!
READ MORE
Slice of kindness fuels staff at hub of Scottish charities
Staff at Norton Park in Leith, home to more than 20 charities, can now tuck into freshly made pizza with generous discounts, thanks to a local partnership with community-minded business, Pizza Geeks.
READ MORE
Big Fat Bingo of The Year shows announced
Christmas is coming in fast, and hot on its heels is the surreal, off-kilter period between Xmas and NYE... Bongo's Bingo have got just the tonic to help see out the final days of 2025!
READ MORE
Discover December Events at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
From Christmas events to Artist in Residence, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in this festive season!
READ MORE
Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo appoints new Marketing Director
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has appointed Johna Penman as its Marketing Director, leading the organisation’s Brand, Box Office, Marketing and Communications functions.
READ MORE
Fingal Sails into Christmas Retaining Two AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence
Christmas has come early for Scotland’s only five-star luxury floating hotel, Fingal, after retaining two prestigious Rosettes for culinary excellence
READ MORE
George Clooney returns to Edinburgh to speak at the 2026 British Business Awards and Social Bite Fundraising Dinner
The annual British Business Awards will take place on 30th April 2026 and will feature a special guest appearance and conversation with award-winning actor and humanitarian, George Clooney.
READ MORE
Helen Sharman and Hamza Yassin to appear at Edinburgh Science Festival 2026
The first British astronaut Helen Sharman and wildlife cameraman, presenter and author Hamza Yassin will headline Edinburgh Science Festival 2026 line-up.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links