CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR GLASGOW ART FAIR George Square, Glasgow, Thu 11—Sun 14 Apr
With audience figures reaching 15,000, the Glasgow Art Fair has proven that it attracts both new and existing buyers. But since its inception in 1996, there is a sense that the true picture of Scotland’s contemporary art scene is barely touched upon. This year, however, the organisers have invited two of Glasgow’s internationally renowned art spaces — the newly refurbished CCA and Tramway - to join forces for a collaborative exhibition, You Are Between Here And There.
‘It was partly an idea to showcase the two venues and to up the profile of contemporary art within the fair,’ says Francis McKee, head of digital arts and new media at the CCA. ‘But also to show up the differences between Tramway and the CCA. We were keen to show together, but we were
also keen to show that we’re doing different things and that there’s a need for both of us in the city.’
The CCA, whose current focus is with digital art and new media, will be showing work by artists who have recently exhibited at the venue or are currently working with it. Internet art pioneers JODI will be offering their CD-rom, a customisation of the classic computer game Quake, for sale. Crankbunny and 6amhoover create interactive net art; Icelandic Love Corporation, which makes exhibitions, installations, videos and performances across Europe, will sing a song and Calum Stirling and Rob Kennedy will produce a digital
and sound work.
Tramway, meanwhile, making its debut at the Art Fair, will be presenting work that it has been directly responsible for commissioning. International collaborative group Henry Vlll’s Wives, whose exhibition Light Without Shadow opens at Tramway on 12 April, will have some work on display. Joining them are some of Tramway’s previous exhibitors, Sally Osborn, David Sherry and Mick Peter. And again, like the CCA, the
COLLABORATIVE. MIXITD MEDIA MY FATHER IS THE WISE
MAN OF THE VILLAGE
Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, until Sat 6 Apr 0...
My father IS the wrse man of the Village is the result of Artlink's two—year Fusion [)TOICCI. a collaboration with psychiatric patients and the hospitals that care for then: throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. It is a stunning achievement by anyone's measuring stick and lacks the overly earnest air of smug concern that usually accompanies ‘community arts projects.
There is so much good. garrulous fun to be had here it is difficult to identify single works. but Margaret J. Cairns. Anne Elliot and Kate Gray's Mobile Library is the first thing that greets you tafter Nicky Barrett Kate Gray's neon words outside the exhibit). A black vespa with a mobile library trailer on the back. covered in childlike stickers. it speaks a million volumes about the dying concerns fer the dissemination of information in rural communities due to mass pollutiOn of Murdoch's media.
Cover by Jeanette Bell and Kate Gray contains something of primitive
i' t
Work by Sally Osborn forms part of the CCA/Tramway collaboration
works are for sale.
‘The art fair has a very sizeable audience and it is very interesting that they are trying to open it up to more cutting-edge experimental work,’ says Alexia Holt, visual arts programmer at Tramway. ‘And obviously Tramway and the CCA have a big role in that. We commission work by artists that might not otherwise be represented in the city.’
This year’s art fair also includes RAW (Real Art Weekend) which draws the public’s attention to some of Glasgow’s art spaces. The Arches has programmed work especially for the event, including club nights and audio and video work presented by Switchspace and the CCA, Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow School of Art, Lighthouse and Tramway have exhibitions which are opening around the art fair dates.
The new addition to the programme, together with the CCA and Tramway collaboration, certainly offers more for the visitor and, quite rightly, promotes the activities of Scotland’s thriving contemporary art scene. (Helen Monaghan)
The Thing To Remember In This Is Balance by Evelyn Whitefield/Anne Elliot/Michelle Naismith
Elliot and Michelle Naismith is the funniest thing you will see in a gallery this year. if you like a bit of unwitting Pinteresgue repetition. Ikebana. Sandra — Portrait Of A Bargain Hunter. (5pm: bartering and the very nicely conceptual 322 X 285 plus many video installations abOut the commissioned works in specialised hospital depaitments. make this a fascinating eulogy to true artistic collaboration. ll’aul Dale)
native American Indian art about it. a rust brown blanket embroidered by cloth sticker badges that are exact copies of drawuigs by Jeanette. 57 Titles etc. As Art Is To Be Cr'it/CIsed. Colorado Freeway l by the steadfast Jockyl and Sketchbook by Andrew Gemmell are brilliant examples of the strength of straiglitforward ideas. drawn simply.
The twenty minute \.’|(I(}() short Three 'I'h/n Lt'Id/es by l_.ori'aine Boyd. Anne
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Artbeat
News from the world of art
WASPS ARTISTS' STUDIOS celebrates its 25th anniversary with the launch of Scotland's first purpose-built $32.2m artists’ studio complex at 77 Hanson Street. Glasgow on Thursday 1 1 April. The first of its kind. the building features low—cost studios for 200 artists. residential accommodation for international visiting artists and curators. a 4000ft square exhibition space. studios for international exchange and short-term hire and IT facilities.
New Wasps Studios
THIS YEAR’S BECK’S Futures 2002 award will be presented by Bjork at a gala evening on 7 May at the ICA in London. The winner will be awarded £24,000 and the remaining nine shortlisted artists will each receive £4000. The exhibition which includes work by Glasgow’s Toby Paterson, will open at the ICA on 29 March until 12 May and will then tour to the CCA in Glasgow from 2 August to 25 September. THE SEARCH IS ON TO FIND Scotland's best building as the Royal IncorporatiOn of Architects in Scotland launches the UK's biggest architecture prize. The winning architect will receive 225.000 donated by Andrew Doolan and the Point Hotel. All architectural projects should have been completed within the last two years and include new buildings. regeneration. conservation. restoration. conversions. extensions and interiors. Entries can be submitted by architects. clients and users. and must reach RlAS by 17 May. The winner Will be announced in September. For mere information. call RlAS on 0131 220 7545.
THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL Gallery of Modern Art has recently acquired a major sculpture by Russian-born artist Naum Gabo (1890—1977), Construction Through A Plane 0. 1937, the first major work by the artist to enter a public collection in Scotland.
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