ART & EXHIBITIONS LIST
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Gallery oi Modern Art, Edinburgh
The Italian President never made the opening. But the exhibition oi Giacomo Manzu’s work planned in conjunction
GIACOMO MANZU
with his visit tortunately did not get caught up in political red tape and made the trip from ltaly without him.
Though honorary member oi the Royal Scottish Academy as ltaiy’s most distinguished llving sculptor, Manzu arrives hardly known in this country. The last review oi his sculpture was mounted at the Tate Gallery over twenty years ago and he does not hold a prominent place in public collections here. At home, Manzu lives on the top ot a hill, revered by both art world and public in his eightieth year. On the outskirts oi Home at Ardea, a whole museum is dedicated to his work and that hill where he lives, they mean to rename Manzu.
Belore seeing the exhibition, a pile of photographs provided the only
measure oi Manzu. Bronze portraits oi young girls, cardinals, religious drawings, costume designs tor opera - they promised charm but there was a suspicion oi blandness.
But few pieces in the show live down to their photograph. Through the open doors oi the central and largest room oi the gallery the cardinal sits large, enclosed like a mountain in a smooth robe. Mitre, cloak and man have become one in hianzu’s bronze made in 1955, more a symbol oi laith than a portrait. A Portrait of a Lady leans to the leit oi the cardinal. Her elongated limbs and swan-like neck lollow mannerist lines, but she is no angel. ller clasped hands are wann-biooded and crossed leet linnly on the ground. Next door, Manzu is at his most sensual -Tebe’s pouting bottom slides gracelully irom a little kitchen chair. This sculpture was made in 1985— there are no declining years ior this artist.
With some exceptions-the Carraige composition is perhaps more interesting in cartoon (a large number at drawings here show Manzu's skill as a draughtsman) and a bronze Girl on a Chair, 1955 is stodgy— Manzu's work has an aura ot living spirituality, down-to-earth and yet transionned.
Manzu was born into a poor lamily- the chair which ieatures so often in this exhibition is his sole inheritance and he prelers to describe himsell as craftsman rather than artist. Ironically, it is this humble dedication to his cralt which quite decidedly places him in the latter category. At his home, he has his own loundry as well as workshop, where he perfects the techniques at the ancients. Bronze Tebe is speckled and a basket ot irult ripe with gold. This great love oi texture spills magnliicentiy into Manzu's costume design, given a whole room in this exhibition. Few lines are needed to capture the witches oi Macbeth. Garments, made up in Tirelli’s workshops, are crafted in silk and leather and crowned with regal helmets and headress. A Knight irom Tristan and lsolde is padded like an astronaut- litanzu has a way at locating the past in the present. (Alice Bain)
Mackie. designer to the Press since 1955. I FLYING COLOURS35 William Street. 225 6776. Mon—Sat l lam—6pm.
I FILMHOUSE Lothian Road. 228 6382. Mon—Sat Noon—l 1pm; Sun 6.30—11pm. I FINE ART SOCIETY 12 Great King Street. 5560305. Mon—Sat 10am—6pm.
I FRENCH INSTITUTE 13 Randolph Crescent. 225 5366 Mon—Fri 9.3(lam—lpm and 2pm—5.3()pm.
Roland Cognet Until Fri 11 Dec. This French artist has been living in Aberdeen for the past three months. sponsored by his home town and Aberdeen‘s French twin. Clermont—Ferrand. This exhibition of sculpture. paintings and prints are the result of his stay. See panel.
I FRUITMARKET GALLERY 29 Market Street. 225 2383. Tue—Sat li)am—5.3()pm: Sun l.3(ipm-5.3i)pm. Closed Mon. Licensed cafe.
Alan Johnston Until 10 Jan. Delicate abstract works reflecting the landscape by an artist who lives and works in Edinburgh. though rarely shown in Scotland.
Thomas Struth: Unconscious Places Until 10 J an. Photographs of the street fascinate Struth and the streets of Edinburgh take their place in his work amongst those of Munich. Rome. Tokyo and Paris. Thisis the artist‘s first major exhibition and was organised by the Kunsthalle. Berne.
Talk Sat 28 Nov. 6.15pm. Free. Friedrich Meschede of Westfalisches Landesmuseum, Munster will introduce Struth‘s work.
Talk Fri 4 Dec. 6.15pm. Art historian and critic Ian Jeffrey will discuss the work of the New Objectivity photographers active in Germany during the 205 and 305.
Talk Sun 6 Dec. 2.30pm. Pradip Malde, photographer and lecturer at Napier College will discuss and illustrate aspects of photography in Scotland. Talk Sat 12 Dec. 6.15pm. A panel (Declan McGonagle. Owen Griffith and Erland Brown) chaired by Barry Barker. Director of Arnolfini. Bristol. will discuss ways in which artists respond to the unique qualities and associations of place and community.
I GALLERY OF MODERN ART Belford Road. 556 8921. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun 2—5pm. Rest. [D]
Giacomo Manzu Until 3 Jan. Italian artists are popular in Scotland this year. Asthe Fruitmarket closes on an important Italian painter. the GMA opens with an important Italian sculptor. also little known in this country. llis last exhibition in this country was at the Tale in 1960. Ninety exhibits including sculpture. jewellery. prints and drawings will cover this artist‘s work from the 30‘s to the present day. Manzu‘s reliefs for Salzburg Cathedral and St. Peter‘s in the Vatican indicate his stature both in his own country and abroad. See panel.
Nash- Landscape oi the Vemai Equinox Until Sun 6 Dec. A small explanatory exhibition about Nash‘s Equinox one of
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Looking Towards Ben Cruachan, Moira Ferrier RWS
172 WALTON ST., LONDON SW3
FIVE BY TEN EXHIBITION
Recent works by Five Contemporary Artists; Anthony Armstrong, Moira Ferrier RWS, Paul Hayes, Caroline Leburn and Maggie Scott. 12th December
at the George Street Gallery Mon—Fri 9.30am—6pm Sat 10am—1pm
Ma co m 11/11/168 Ga em
CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION
Tue 15th December to Thurs 24th December
67 GEORGE ST., EDINBURGH 031-226-4151
Cicksln A Barn, A. Jackson T940),
34'I‘he List 27 Nov— 10 Dec 1987