The results are in and for this momentous occasion in Scotland’s history books, we asked creative professionals living in Scotland what the ‘No vote’ means for them…
1024RandomisedScottishElection
“This is a visual of a run of 1024 randomised elections of a population of 5,000,000 created in Processing.”
Paul Maguire _ Electronic Media Developer & Lecturer | The Glasgow School of Art
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“Democracy has spoken, my Heart may be broken, but it will remain intact, If only through the memory of the passion and solidarity that I have seen in the people of Scotland.”
Michael Sherrington _ Director | The Forest of Black
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“Forza Alba!”
Damien Smith _ Creative Partner | ISO
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“I voted conscious of my experience, compassion, intellect and beliefs, I have no bitterness or disappointment, no anger or blame, I have my relationship to my country and know where I stand. It is a night where democracy won, and that is wonderful. Fight again and again for justice, equality, peace, freedom, speak up where you can without fear, vote every time, it is your obligation to your past, present and future. I love Scotland and I always will, but perhaps for now it remains a work in progress. But for now no anger, fear, recrimination, introspection and no more talking ourselves down. I am very lucky, an artist in a Western country with friends, family, health, hope and a lot of happiness. I will never forget the summer of 2014.”
Alex Hetherington _ Artist, Curator, Writer | Modern Edinburgh Film School
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“I am disgusted at the sight of people celebrating more nuclear weapons, less equality, more food banks and the refusal to grow up and take responsibility for ourselves. For the first time in my life I am ashamed to be Scottish.”
James Young _ Founding Partner | D8
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“This morning I’ve woken up in a country that has engaged and educated itself in how the UK is run – the political establishment, the economy, the media – and knows that it isn’t run in our best interests. Our binary political contests provide a black and white result for the people we once trusted with the running of our lives – politicians, bankers, and those who used to be known as journalists. This referendum stopped being about them, and became all about us. Everywhere I turned there have been people who believed in creating a better society – creative, generous, community-minded people who I could only aspire to be a bit like one day, and regret not being more like now. These are the sort of folk who won’t sleep, won’t rest, if there’s an important fight to be fought…and there now will be many. If you missed out before, join them now. If you feel bitter towards those who voted a different way to you, remember we need all the friends we can get.”
Emlyn Firth _ Director | a visual agency
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“Disappointing…”
Mark Breslin _ Creative Partner | ISO
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“For the thousands of young artists, creative people, writers and others who engaged with the Yes campaign, with the National Collective, and the broader independence movement, last night’s result will of course be very disappointing. Many have put their lives on hold to campaign for Yes, and felt a wave of inspiration and enthusiasm not experienced before. To them, the No vote represents a chance for another kind of future, lost.
But not all artists and those in the creative industries were Yes voters. Today, for them, will bring a sense of relief, perhaps, rather than overt jubilation.
Some of the more well known supporters of the Yes movement have successful careers and those will continue.
Whether the coherence and organisation of the creative movement for Yes remains, and perhaps morphs into something else, can only be judged in the fullness of time.”
Phil Miller _ Arts Correspondent | The Herald
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Scott Monument by Andy Hepworth
“It has been a long road; sometimes contentious, mostly kind and inspiring from the point of view that people have simply cared. There was a strange but invigorating peace over the capitol yesterday which I don’t think I’ve encountered before – and that peace I suppose was the sound of a nation using its voice. This morning’s news that greater devolution has been proposed for all the UK regions actually gives me a sense of hope, and what I hope for – across the whole of the UK – is that the voices within nations will be heard, and will not remain dormant. The process has been an eye-opener; let’s not close them again.”
Andy Hepworth _ Illustrator
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“Punk is dead!”
Mark Bell _ Architect | NORD
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“It’s business as usual, but with a heightened energy and respect brought about by a country that came out in force to let its voices be heard – and, I’m proud to say, a population that is proving to be as graceful in victory as it is in defeat. The road ahead should still bring about change (let’s keep focus without cynicism!), and hopefully this will be realised right across the UK. And, on a side note, if the creative sectors get on top of this movement, we might even be able to turn one of our biggest issues of talent migration on its head. Exciting times.”
Simon Meek _ Creative Director | The Secret Experiment
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“As a yes voter I am deeply disappointed but Scotland has spoken and I respect that. We have had an amazing turn out of 97% of people registered to vote which is hugely positive and I hope that this brings more change to Scotland. Let’s hope Westminster stay true to their word.”
Rebecca Torres _ Director & Designer | Rebecca Torres
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“For me, this referendum was only round five of a fifteen round thriller. We’ve landed a big punch but not quite enough to floor the idea that money is more important than people. Lets gather ourselves, enjoy the sponge, sook a few oranges over the weekend. The bell will ring again on Monday and we’ll be back in the fray, fighting the good fight. There’s a lot of points on our card already. And the world is rooting for us. Hand in hand with our friends and neighbours in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we’ll do this.”
Paul Welsh _ Film Producer | Digicult & Edge City Films
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“Dear pals south of the border, we saw a chance for freedom from austerity, from unrepresentative governments working for big money not citizens, from illegal wars, from the systematic destruction of public services, from food banks and the demonising of the poorest… We saw that chance and we went for it. It didn’t work out, but look what we achieved against the overwhelming opposition of the media and the three big parties (who might as well be one): an energised, informed electorate, the engagement of the previously disenfranchised, a massive voice for change. The challenge is there for you to take up the fight and join us in bringing these Westminster shitebags to account next May, not to mention the ugly ugly threat of UKIP. Change is on the way. If we’re Better Together, let’s prove we really can be BETTER together.
Matt Lloyd _ Director | Glasgow Short Film Festival
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“37 publications, every TV station and Radio Station in the land lined up to quash an uprising of sorts. Is it a surprise that Scotland has voted No? Of course not. However the creative and inspirational message of hope that has sprang up in this campaign is not going away.”
Paul Crawford _ Head of offKILTR | KILTR
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“Despite the disappointment felt by so many Scots this morning, we can be really proud that we have collectively shaken the political establishment to their core and I honestly believe things will never be the same.
Scotland does not wake up today as an independent state, but the whole process of the referendum has empowered Scotland and our people to bring about significant and meaningful change to our political system.
This will affect the whole of the UK and I believe it will become a catalyst for greater social justice both here and in the rest of Britain. If we can
harness the incredible political energy generated in our wee country in recent months, and push hard enough, it can be a springboard for far greater democracy in Scotland and proper electoral reform within the UK.
We can’t let the Westminster political elite off the hook here and we should immediately begin a concerted campaign to bring proportional representation and an elected upper house in Westminster.
Power To The People!”
Michael Grieve _ Managing Director | Sub Club
Central Station covered the Scottish Indy Ref this week with events, showcases and features all relating to Scotland’s Big Decision. See more articles here.
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