By Moonlight: Escaping the Asylum

Midlothian County District Lunatic Asylum's Register of Escapes, 1875-1896, is the inspiration for Fi Bailey's art installation, By Moonlight. The archive holds a record of fifty women who escaped the boundaries of Rosslynlee, as far as Peebles, Cramond and Portobello.  

At this event, Fi will discuss her work which aligns the data in the escape register with phases of the moon.  Gaps between date of escape and date of return are represented in units of soap, an everyday domestic material, displayed alongside found objects.  

With thanks to Lothian Health Services Archives/LHB33

The installation will be on display throughout the Festival. Its themes of risk, escape and visibility will also act as a prompt for the Creative Writing Workshop that Fiona is leading immediately following this Conversation.

NB: If you buy a ticket for the workshop it includes admission to this Conversation, so please do not book separately for both.