ART & EXHIBITIONS LIST
FAMILY ALBUM
It seems like a joke to arrive at a photo-session with a camera so big it travels in a van. And for Neal Slavin’s models it often was. Over a two year period, he toured the country taking group portraits with a giant Polaroid, not one you could swing, but one that had to be carefully lrollied in and out of its van lor shooting. It’s a man-size version of the one most people use as a toy, with the same instant peel-oft tilm. But 20in x 24in, postersize.
The album of photographs are now on show at Stills Gallery, Edinburgh. Album because together they record a life in the day at a lamily of British people. A ladies bowling team, the Channel Swimming Association, the Black Dykes Mills Brass Band — individuals strike a pose in keeping with their group, according to their ran!- and relationship.
‘The Britons' were assembled alter Colin Ford, Keeperot the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Bradford tinally commissioned the American photographer attereight years' persuasion.
In 1976, Ford had seen Slavin's book ‘When Two or More are Gathered Together’, a stars and stripes collection of multiple portraits and believed he could musterthe same openness and enthusiasm amongst the British people. He has. The R.N.L.|. were prepared to hover a helicopter for him, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire were happy to pose like the stars at a musical with their 150 statt in the chorus line, and the Sisters of The Bedemptoristine Convent giggled with
TATTOO
delight tor the preposterous camera. The colours have been borrowed from America and are sheer Hollywood, but the poses in which the groups arranged themselves are thoroughly British, though leaning heavily in lavour of groups in the south ot England. As the
FRAN S WIDERBERG
6 December- 11 January
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Belford Road, Edinburgh. Telephone 031-556 8921
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 2-5pm
An exhibition of paintings, lithographs, woodcuts, etchings and watereolours, by one of Norway’s leading artists.
Free parking. Wheelchair access. Cafe.
toreward and Auberon Waugh in his preface so ably point out, Slavin has captured the sense and enjoyment of eccentricity and love of drama inherent in this island's humour. The numberol sell-inflicted unitorms bears this out. (Alice Bain)
0 GALLERY OF MODERN ART Belford Road. 556 8921. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Sun 2—5pm. Rest. [D] Guided Tours ()n the first Wednesday of every month. at 2.30pm (free) a memberofthe curatorial staff will lead a tour of the gallery (approx three quarters of an hour). Questions and discussions will be invited.
Frans Widderberg Until Sun 1 l .lan. Described as Norway's most provocatively accomplished painter and graphic artist‘ Widerberg uses nudes and animals in lustful colours to depict love and despair. longings
and desires in an uncertain world. See panel. 0 GATEWAY EXCHANGE 2-4 Abbeymount. 661 0982. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Shaken Roots Until Sat 14 Dec. Experiences of the South African bush people — an exhibition of seventy years of photographs by Paul Weinberg. ()rde Eliason and Louie Fourie amongst others. Organised by Survival International. Christmas Exhibition Until Wed 24 Dec. General work from Gateway members. 0 GRAEME MURRAY GALLERY 15 Scotland Street. 556 6020. 'I'ue—Fri l—6pm. Sat 10am—1pm. James Cramb Until Sat 27 Dee. O HANOVER FINE ARTS 104 Hanover Street. 225 2450. Mon—Sat 10am—6pm. 0pm Sun 14 Dec 2—5pm; Closed 25 Dec—512m. Christmas Exhibition Until Wed 24 Dec (until 1pm). Small paintings. ceramics. sculpture. embroidery. carvings. prints and jewellery by over forty Scottish artists. 0 HM GENERAL REGISTER HOUSE Princes Street. 556 6585. Mon-Fri l0am—4pm. The Crotters Until end Dec. An exhibition to mark the centenary of the (‘rofters‘ Act. 0 HUNTLY HOUSE MUSEUM (‘anongate Mon—Sat 10am—5pm The Show in the Meadow Until Wed 31 Dec. 100 years ago. the Meadows in Edinburgh hosted the International Exhibition of Industry. Science and Art. This exhibition at IIuntIy House. organised by the District Council commemorates the centenary. o MALCOLM INNES GALLERY 67 (ieorge Street. 226 4151. Mon—Fri 9.30am—6pm; Sat l0am-1pm. Christmas Exhibition Fri 12—Wed 24 Dec. A mixed show. 0 MEADOWBANK SPORTS CENTRE London Road for info call 557 1265 ext 217. Simply Women tJntil 14Dee. A District (‘ouncil exhibition of photographs of women taken at the X111 (‘ommonwealth (iamcs by Franki Raffles. Times for viewing Ilium—9pm. This exhibition will also be appearing at the following venuex Jack Kane Centre 208 Niddrie Mains Road. 6—18Jan. Illam—me. Craiglockhart Sports Centre 117 (‘olinton Road. 6—18 Jan. 10am—9pm.
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CENTRE 1 L
CLOSED 25, 26 Dec: 1-3 Jan
CIT‘YOF LUINHL "(ill (5 IHPRUHNC SERVH f5 DISTRIL'Y(()I'.\(IL (RI:AII\CIUMS I
()pen Mon—Sat
CITY ART CENTRE
18 December— 31 .lanuary ARNE EKEI..-\NI)
Exhibits from one of Norway‘s
best known living artists.
20 [)ecember— 31 January
DISC-COVER: THE ART OF
THE RECORD SLEEVE
Examples of work from some of the most important record-sleeve
designersoflhe 1980s.
2 Market Street. Edinburgh 10am—5pm ADMISSION FREE
48 The List 12 Dec— 8 Jan