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REVIEW OF THE DECADE The last ten years of Scottish culture have showcased the country’s fiercely independent values and commitment to bold artistic statements. Looking back on some of the most inspiring artworks and figures of the period, Kirstin Innes suggests we indulge in a little self-congratulation, while overleaf we examine the first of three moments that defined a cultural decade
radical,
M uch of the most powerful art produced in Scotland the 1980s–1990s in developed in angry reaction to the political situation and tapped into our left-wing and egalitarian traditions. It’s no accident that the most popular works of that period, from Trainspotting and The Steamie to the songs of The Proclaimers – spoke to working-class people first. But it was usually the art of the underdog, delivered with a knowing, world-weary sigh. However, the devolved beginnings of self- government and (for most of the decade) a booming economy, something has shifted in Scottish culture since the Parliament opened in July 1999. Whether it’s
armed with
or a direct result of devolution, wealth, the globalising influence online communication, something gave us the confidence to shout this decade.
of
The early ’00s were shaped by uncertainty and resentment; mostly targeted at the escalating costs of Enrique Miralles’ Scottish Parliament building, which eventually opened to a mixed reception in 2004. Miralles’ design is still something of an anomaly: the architect strove to represent shapes (the upturned boat, the leaves, the skating minister) he’d found in and around Scotland, it still feels distinctly un-Scottish with its crazy, beautiful patchwork of internationalism and ambition. though
even
It’s a picture of the country we almost didn’t recognise at first, but now, at the end of the 2000s, we seem to be growing into it. When plans for the National Theatre of Scotland were first announced, opposition to the project was fierce – Scottish theatre feared the then Executive’s interference in artistic output, and the leaching away of funding from established companies. Since the first NTS production (HOME: Dumfries, 23 February 2006) those voices have been decisively silenced. In the NTS – an organisation deliberately unattached to any one city theatre and based in one of the poorest areas of Glasgow – we now have a vessel for expressing stories that reflect the concerns of the whole
WE ❤ THE NOUGHTIES: From devolution to Susan Boyle, Harry Potter to Carol Ann Duffy, we list the most important moments in a decade of Scottish culture
20 THE LIST 3–17 Dec 2009
1999 2000
2001
JULY JUNE
JULY JANUARY
Scottish Parliament opens, with Labour candidate Donald
Biffy Clyro release first EP, ‘thekidswho
poptodaywillrock
Dewar elected as the tomorrow’ on Stow
first First Minister ahead of SNP rival Alex Salmond. Dewar died in
October 2000 after developing a brain
tumour.
College’s Electric Honey label. It
includes future fan favourites ‘57’ and
‘justboy’.
Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire, the fourth in the series, is published. It breaks sales records in the
Martin Wishart gains Leith’s first Michelin star. Other Edinburgh restaurants, such as The Plumed Horse,
UK and US. The The Kitchin and
series goes on to sell Number One at The
an estimated 230
million books throughout the decade.
Balmoral achieve stars later in the decade.
APRIL JUNE
Lee Scratch Perry, Alasdair Gray, James
Teenage Fanclub and Kelman and Tom
Jarvis Cocker are Leonard are selected
included in the line-up for joint chair of
for the first Triptych festival, which takes place over three days in various venues in Edinburgh, Glasgow
Glasgow University’s Creative Writing
MLitt. They will tutor authors including
Zoe Strachan, Louise
and Aberdeen. Welsh and Jason
Donald.