Noticeboard NewsGossipOpinion
NOBODY’S FOOL
As the events licensing fee debate rumbles on throughout Scotland, many are rallying behind the cause, putting on special events in support. Here Jennifer McGregor,co-co ordinator of ‘A Little April Tomfoolery’ has her say
I magine a country where every artistic event, from painters exhibiting a few pieces in cafés in bookshops, had to be licensed. Even if it’s tiny. Even if it’s free.
to readings
That could be Scotland after 1 April. New legislation on Public Entertainment Licensing, intended to regulate big unmanageable free events like raves and firework displays, comes into force on the 1st and, due to the removal of the word ‘free’, all free events will be illegal unless they’re licensed or specifically exempted by the local council. Glasgow City Council has put the introduction of licenses on hold pending a review, while the City of Edinburgh Council is bringing in the licenses temporarily whilst waiving the fees, pending a public consultation on the matter. It’s a good start, but fails to acknowledge that many grassroots artists and community event organisers will be put off by the extra admin, even if there’s no fee. Not all councils across Scotland have declared as yet how they intend to implement the PEL changes either, further muddying the situation.
That’s where A Little April Foolery comes in. It’s an umbrella event calling on small-scale artists to
stage little events all over Scotland. The plan is to raise awareness of the grassroots arts, protest against licensing laws which stand to do us harm, and to give our communities a day of fantastic free events! Anyone can take part, either by staging an event themselves or just by getting out and seeing what’s going on.
Events we know about so far include a ukulele band in Glasgow, a sitar/tabla performance in Dundee and everything from film screenings and multi-disciplinary art events to egg rolling in Edinburgh. There will also be some artists working by stealth, leaving pretty things around the city centres or doing pop-up performances wherever they happen to be, and a co-operative documentary team using the day to take a snapshot of Scotland’s lesser- known cultural life.
For more information about April Foolery, what’s on or how to take part, go to thisisnotentertainment.wordpress.com
ReviewofReviews
HUMAN DON’T BE ANGRY OUT NOW ON CHEMIKAL
UNDERGROUND
WHAT WE SAID: ‘While Malcolm Middleton’s solo lyrics are typified by self-deprecation, Human Don’t Be Angry’s vocalisms are more forthright, driven and loved-up.’ THE LIST WHAT THEY SAID: ‘Middleton is a master when it comes to this and previous work has always had a solid emotional power that taps right into your core.’ GLASGOW PODCART
‘This is a brave album from one of Scotland’s most understated yet prolific songwriters. Unlike Middleton’s recent solo releases, HDBA is a largely instrumental affair. But it’s a triumph alright.’ INSULARIS RECORDS It seems that Mr Middleton is making music for himself at his own pace with his own ideas and his own destination in mind. Imagine that. SITTINGNOW.CO.UK
O P I N I O N Life MODEL
As part of our special issue celebrating the opening of Glasgow International, Folkert de Jong talks about what art – and art festivals – mean to him
For me, art is about life and the human condition. It’s a very efficient medium to communicate about life and our individual position in it. I see the art exhibition space as a podium on which I can communicate with an audience. The audience becomes a witness rather than strictly a viewer. I want the audience and the artwork to be on the same level.
I am very thankful to Jenny
Brownrigg, the director of exhibitions at the Glasgow School of Art, for giving me the opportunity to go wild at Gi. It’s a great opportunity for me to communicate my ideas in a short but intense way. In general, festivals like this
are helping to create awareness. The interaction between art and people in a festival situation accelerates this.
In my work, I make use of the strong visual qualities of the specific materials that I work with. The art space thus becomes a metaphor for real life; like an illustration, it creates a perfect, safe distance and playground to study and reflect upon complex questions, such as the mystification and manipulation of reality through powerful business strategies. My first and best experience [of Glasgow] until now is with the people from the Glasgow School of Art and the Mackintosh Museum but I am sure to learn more during the festival; I’m looking forward to seeing Kaye Donachie’s work a lot, and meeting some more artists when I am there. ■ Folkert de Jong: The Immortals, Mackintosh Museum, Glasgow School of Art, Fri 20 Apr–Mon 7 May.
10 THE LIST 29 Mar–26 Apr 2012