FESTIVAL VISUAL ART | Art at Summerhall
Ortonandon
Derrick Guild The most in-your-face of the exhibitions is Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch’s Das Orgien Mysterien Theater, an overview of the artist’s career spanning the last decade. Nitsch (who recently had an exhibition abruptly cancelled in Mexico because of his work’s perceived violence) will present an extensive body of expressive paintings as well as relics, robes and surgical implements. The works will be presented across two areas of Summerhall; the new Sciennes Gallery, and more interestingly, the venue’s converted War Memorial Library.
the grisly
Counterbalancing presence of Nitsch’s work with humour and gentle provocation are Scotland-based artists David Sherry and sisters Katie, Sophie and Anna Orton of artist group Ortonandon. Sherry will exhibit and perform in Summerhall’s white cube space, the Corner Gallery, while Ortonandon have installed their video installations in the unusual Basement Machine Shop – previously a metal workshop. Both shows reject a reverential treatment of the artworks: Sherry will allow visitors to wear his work (a light switch and chess piece costumes) and Ortonandon encourage a
98 THE LIST FESTIVAL 13–20 Aug 2015
The Thermos Museum
similar engagement with their props.
Elsewhere in the building, an artist, who wishes to be referred to as ‘the Thermos museum curator’ for the purposes of the show, will take visitors on a guided tour of Summerhall while offering a humorously digressive commentary on the history of Thermos l asks. The Thermos Museum will be an insightful, warm and witty experience for anyone looking to spend an interesting 30 minutes. A quote accompanying the exhibition description simply reads: ‘It’s about l asks – Ben, aged 7.’ The exhibitions A Lady’s Not A Gent’s and After A.D delve into art history, disrupting its accepted narrative. The i rst gives substance to bold claims i rst made in the 80s that were largely ignored: that the famous ‘Fountain’ – a porcelain urinal – signed R.Mutt by Marcel Duchamp was in fact the i rst great feminist work of art by Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven. Derrick Guild’s After A.D takes place in Summerhall’s Laboratory Gallery and will undoubtedly be the highlight of the visual arts programme. It pays tribute to Albrecht Durer’s ‘Young Hare’ (1502) and will feature Guild’s
exquisitely crafted sculptures and paintings that reveal a fascination with naturalistic painting. Ideas brought to light by the show will be amplii ed by accompanying music from musician Marty Hailey who will also perform live in Summerhall’s Anatomy Lecture Theatre.
Hermann Nitsch: Das Orgien Mysterien Theater, until 5 Oct, free. David Sherry: One Million Years of Laughter, until 5 Oct, free.
Ortonandon: Three Go Adventuring Again, until 5 Oct, free. The Thermos Museum, until 31 Aug, free.
A Lady’s Not a Gent’s, until 5 Oct, free.
Derrick Guild: After A.D, until 5 Oct, free. All exhibitions at Summerhall, 560 1580, see list.co.uk/festival for full Summerhall visual arts programme.