ART & EXHIBITIONS LIST
Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum (Kelvingrove). Until 3 Dec. Aleksandr Rodchenko was one of the most prominent, inventive, experimental and exciting of the avant-garde artists of the revolutionary SovietIJnion, never content to rest in one medium or in the pigeon-holing of ‘Art' as consisting of certain activities and not others. What this informative exhibition does most importantly is to take a step towards restoring Vavara Stepanova to her rightful position as a creator: as with so many women artists, her husband’s work has been foregrounded at her expense. Although Rodchenko is still given far more space than Stepanova, what becomes clear from this show is not as much that they collaborated (though in some cases they did), orthat they excelled in separate spheres (though she could handle paint far betterthan he, and he was the superlative photographer) — but rather that they could each bounce their creative energy and ideas off each otherto their mutual benefit. Their relationship must have lined
THE RODCHENKO FAMILY
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creativity, each indebted to the other. Although the couple’s work forms the bulk of the show, it is very much a family affair-the mother, herson, his wile , their daughter, her husband, their son, daughter-in-Iaw and grand-daughter. And yet, despite this,
and the eclectic nature of the work, the whole thing hangs together very well. In the middle is Rodchenko's drawing forthe little figure which originally advertised new books, but now advertises New Beginnings. Surrounding it are costumes designed by Rodchenko and by Stepanova for theatre and for daily wear; Rodchenko's photos, a revelation as a body of work, and those of his son-in-law Nikolay Lavrentiev; Stepanova’s still-life paintings and constructivist figures; her fabric designs; her work for a poster which anticipates Mattisse’s cut-outs by three decades; ‘Photopoetry’ by Aleksandr Lavrentiev and Irina Presnetova, and their separate photographs and artworks, and last but not least, still-lives by Katya Lavrentieva, aged 12, which wouldn’t disgrace a few reproductions, and writing by Stepanova and Rodchenko which bear careful reading, not only for the historical content, but their relevance to contemporary cultural practise. (Hilary Robinson)
interesting or curious acquisition ofthat year. The enormous range includes the poignant last letter ofMary Queen of Scots. the Gutenberg Bible. the War Diariesof Iiarl Haig and a 1985 edition of Old King Cole printed in Paisley. officially the smallest book in the world.
The next exhibitions will be (1 Dec-28 Feb) The Summer of t89 which isa collection of photgraphs of Scotland taken in 1889 and Ronald Stevenson which charts the life and times ofone ofScotland‘s best known contemporary compose rs.
I NETHERDOW 43 High Street. 5569579. Mon—Sat mam—4.30pm and evenings when performances. Cafe.
Neil Stewart: Recent Works Until 25 Nov. Linocuts and paintings featuring the Old Town.
I OPEN EYE GALLERY 75 Cumberland Street. 557 1020. Mon—Fri l0am—6pm.Sat I0am—-4pm.
Ann Patrick: Paintings Until 23 Nov. Having recently returned from Italy her still lifes and figure studies are pervaded by bright Mediterranean sunlight. Christine Smith: Ceramics Until 23 Nov. Earthenware decorated by various figures.
I PORTFOLIO GALLERY AT PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP 43 Candlemaker Row. 220 1911.Tue—Satnoon—5.30pm.
David Williams: IS Ecstasies l-XXIV Until 18 Nov. This new series of work. from the artist who brought us No Man '5 Land. a study of St Margaret's School for Girls. is more meditative and abstract.
A One Day Introduction to Photography: Beginners' Workshop 1 1 Nov. l0am—5pm. An intensive workshop for absolute beginners.
Portrait Workshop 25 November 10am—5pm. A chance to spend a day working with two of Scotland's leading portrait photographers. David Williams and Robin Gillanders.
I PORTRAIT GALLERY Queen Street , 556
i 8921. Mon—Sat l0am—5pm; Sun 2—5pm. The Man Who ShotGarbo. I0 Nov—8Jan. A
major retrospective exhibition of the work of Clarence Sinclair Bull one ofthe greatest American film studio portrait
photographers. Though he was head ofthe
stills department at Metro-(ioldwyn-Mayerfrom 1924 until 1961.his most famous publicity shots were
; of (ireta (iabo for Anna (.‘ltrLs‘Iie. Mata
llari. Queen ( 'hristina and Camille which
were taken at the height of her career. AVlsion of India Until 31 Jan. Fred Bremner was once a highly successful photographer in India. His prints that are on show here, are modern platinum ones made from Bremner's original glass negatives and feature fakirs, Afghan tribesmen and the Begum of Bhopal in this richly varied selection ofearly photographs of the Jewel in the Crown.
I PRINTMAKERS WORKSHOP GALLERY 23 Union Street, 557 2479. Mon—Sat 10am—5.30pm.
New Prints From Edinburgh Printmakers Until 17 Dec. George Donald. Susan Norrie. Robert Rivers and Carol Robertson are the printmakers showing. Annual Open Day 25 Nov, noon—5pm. A chance to see original prints being made. indulge in some mince pies and punch as well as the opportunity to buy or even win a print.
I OUEEN'S HAl L Clerk Street. Box Office 6682019. Mon—Sat l0am—5pm. Cafe. Naturally Felt Until 25 Nov. Felt images of exotic birds and floral settings from Christiana Sargent former member ofthe Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
I RIAS 15 Rutland Square. 229 7205. Mon—Fri 9. 30am—5pm.
Scotbuild 30 Oct- 10 Nov.
I RICHARD DEMARCO GALLERY Blackfriars Church. Blackfriars Street (off High Street). 557 0707. Mon—Sat 10am—6pm.
The Scottish Society of Artists on Paper Until 2 Dec. The large annual open exhibition. for all Scottish artists, organised by the SSA is held this year at the Demarco Gallery.
I ROYAL DOTANIC GARDEN 552 7171. Gardens Mon—Sat 9am—sunset; Sun llam—sunset. Plant houses and exhibitions (mounted in Inverleith House) Mon—Sat l0am—5pm; Sun 11am—5pm. Aborigines ot the Amazon: The Yanomani Until 30 Nov. An exhibition ofstunning photographs recording the way of life of the largest group of uncultured lowland Indians in South America. The photographs by Victor Englebert are accompanied by text from the President of Survival International (the groupthat organised the show), Robin Hanbury-Tension.
Maraca Until 30 Nov. The photographic results of a year-long expedition which involved two hundred experts from the
Royal Geographical Society, who travelled to and then dissected a Brazilian rain forest, on an island in a tributary of the Amazon.
I ROYAL SCOTTISH ACADEMY The Mound. 225 6671. Mon—Sat 10am—6pm. Sun 2—6pm.
Morrison’s Scottish Portrait Award Until 14 Nov. This year‘s winner The Wedding Breakfast by Joyce Cairns is on show alongside some fifty other portraits selected to hang in the downstairs gallery. I SCOTTISH CRAFT CENTRE 140 Canongate. 556 8136. Mon—Sat 10am—5.30pm.
Douglas Davies Until 11 Nov. Decorated tiles from Douglas Davies. The next exhibition organised by the Scottish Craft Centre is Buying Futures which will be held at the City Art Centre and will run from 25 November until 6January.
I THE SCOTTISH GALLERY 94 George Street. 225 5955. Mon—Fri 10am—6pm'. Sat 10am—1pm.
Jack Knox: Recent Works Until 29 Nov. Though a frequent exhibitor at the Gallery. this is Jack‘s first solo exhibition here since 1966. His oils. pastels and drawings were inspired by landscapes as diverse as Illinois. Arran and France. Martin Rayner: Constructions Until 29 Nov.
Powerful woodcarved images inspired by the sea.
Andrew Smith: Paintings Until 29 Nov. Vivid, colourful oils that focus on diverse elements of society in Edinburgh.
Robin Welch: Ceramics, Paul Musgrove: Glass Until 29 Nov. Twenty or so pieces from this leading studio potterand glasswork from a widely exhibited artist. . I SCOTTISH PHOTOGRAPHS WORKS 14a Nelson Street. 556 4017 (phone for appointment).
Scottish Photographers A gallery representing the most exciting contemporary Scottish photographers. There is a permanent print holding giving a varied display. On sale from the gallery is David Williams' book Pictures Front No Man '3 Land and the Raymond Moore photogravure entitled Ayr 1979.
I SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE West Register House. Charlotte Square, 556 6585. Mon—Fri 10am—4pm.
Strange Revolutions: Scotland 1688-89 Until further notice.
I STEP GALLERY 39 Howe Street. 556 1613. Mon—Fri 11am—5.30pm; Sat 11am—4pm: Sun 12—3pm.
The Gallery will be closed until the beginning of November. It will then re-open with a display ofwork by Derek Robertson on 4 November.
I STILLS GALLERY 105 High Street. 557 1140. Tue—Sat Ham—5.30pm.
Picturing Women Until 18 Nov. The first halfof a major two-part exhibition. which sets out to examine the way that Scottish women have been perceived in photography since the end of the Second World War. features commissioned work from Andrea Cringean on the theme of Health and Beauty and Franki Raffles on Women and Work.
Picturing Women: Part 2 25 Nov—22 Dec. Lorna Bates. who focuses her work on the Family Album and Della Mathieson. whose work documents the lives of Scottish Asian Women. form the second part.
I TALBOT RICE ART GALLERY Old College. University of Edinburgh. South Bridge. 667 I011. Tue—Sat 10am—5pm.
Lidy Hoewaer: Scottish Rills Until 11 Nov. Sculptures inspired by the Border landscape of Scotland from this Belgian Professor of Sculpture at Stedelijke Academy. Alan Irvine: Paintings (1959-89) 17 Nov— 16 Dec. Ten very large abstract paintings feature in this exhibition organised with the Serpentine Gallery in London. There to Remain Until 18 Nov. Spanning the entire 200 years since the founding of the Old College and its Library. the exhibition consists of ancient books. manuscripts and architectural drawings from the dustiest shelves ofthe University Library.
ITHEATREWORKSROP34 Hamilton
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
It is only In the last 30 years or so that art historians have recognised the full impactot Bonnard and Vuillard on 20-century art. This small exhibition of drawings isparficularly interesting torthose familiar with the paintings, illustrating the abstract qualities of someof their work. See Chessel Gallery, Edinburgh.
58 The List 10— 23 November 1989