THE VIC
LET’S GET THE ARTY STARTED
As Glasgow School of Art’s The Vic reopens, Malcolm Jack refl ects on its history as one of the most infl uential venues in Scotland
I t was a once customary question of a good night out in Glasgow, usually posed after a few cheap pitchers at Sleazies: ‘we goin’ up the Arty?’ And after a keenly felt three-year absence, following a multi-million pound redevelopment, the Arty’s coming back. Better equipped than ever, ready to revert to its role as the heart that pumps Glasgow’s creative and cultural lifeblood.
The return of the venue – the GSA Student Association to give it its rarely used ofi cial title – wasn’t always a certainty. Of the seven i nalists in an international architecture competition in 2009, only one proposed to reincorporate the union into a wider redevelopment of the Garnethill estate adjacent to the school’s iconic Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed HQ (the new Seona Reid building will also house lecture, exhibition, seminar and studio spaces).
Fortunately it was New York architect Steven Holl’s vision that won – a glass-heavy structure based around ‘driven voids of light’, which had the insight to recognise the space’s vital role. Not just as a student facility, but as a place where people from the wider spheres of visual art, clubbing, live music, performance art, literature and all things in-between get out of their heads, collide and combine. ‘It’s one of the things that’s really good about a place where hedonism connects with creative impulses,’ says Alan Miller, the press ofi cer overseeing the GSA Student Association’s reintegration. Miller has been heavily involved with the Art School for 20 years in various capacities, i rst as a student, then as a club promoter and DJ at Divine and Record Playerz, then as a PR. ‘Connections are made that might not otherwise have been made formally,’ he continues. ‘There’s a complete randomness to it all – you can’t plan to meet a DJ and a novelist at 2am in the smoking bit. You might have gone out that night thinking, “I just want to be home by 11”.’
Turner Prizewinners and multi-million selling rock bands have frequented the Art School over the years, and represent just the visible tip of the iceberg. ‘For decades there’s been this crazy cross-pollination,’ says Miller. ‘The most obvious demonstration of which is Franz Ferdinand singing about hanging out at Transmission [the Glasgow gallery founded by GSA graduates, referenced on “Do You Want To?”]. You’d see all the same people at these same nights at the Art School – you’d see Jim Lambie, you’d see David Shrigley, you’d see people from Franz, Sons and Daughters, all of these people were all mixing in the same space. It created this social hub for people to l ow through.’
The broad strokes of the new building’s layout remain familiar, with the Vic Bar (now slightly smaller) on the ground l oor and the Assembly Hall venue upstairs. But the new facility will be otherwise almost unrecognisable from the old. Gone are the Vic’s chequered l oor, the dodgily wired light and sound system and the dingy toilets: in come custom-designed spaces and a state-of-the-art tech set-up, with the entrance now on Scott Street.
As when any cherished nightspot gets a facelift – the new Sub Club, refurbished in 2002 after a i re, being one notable example – some will say it’ll never be the same again. But nostalgia, Miller argues, is an indulgence the Art School can ill afford. ‘It never will be the same again, and the whole point is it shouldn’t be,’ he responds. ‘Things always evolve – the scene around it will constantly evolve, the things people will think are cool will change. As romantic a place as it was to go out to, it was a grimy shithole at the end of the day.’ Tom Scholei eld AKA electronic musician and graphic / video artist Konx-Om-Pax, doesn’t doubt that people will warm to the new venue. ‘It’ll take a bit of getting used to, but give it a ➙ year and it’ll hopefully feel just like it was,’
5 things to go see at . . . THE NEWLY RELAUNCHED VIC
CROC VS CROC The ofi cial launch party for the venue aims to establish a link to the spirit of the old, with DIY experimentalists Croc vs Croc enlisting the help of Golden Teacher in the ‘reopening of the Star Dancer Portal’. Expect installations, projections and a cosmic lineup. Thu 12 Dec.
NUMBERS The tastemaking electronica label celebrates ten years on the go with a stellar return to their old stomping ground, with Hudson Mohawke, Jackmaster and Spencer supplying the tunes. Advance tickets are sold out, but there’ll be a limited allocation on the door. Fri 13 Dec.
EDWYN COLLINS Orange Juice played their i rst ever gig at the Art School, so it only makes sense for their leading man to help launch the new incarnation. The ‘A Girl Like You’ singer will be joined by London Mississippi, Adopted as Holograph and Peter. Sun 15 Dec.
SHACKLETON The bass-heavy grime / dubstep DJ joins forces with Skull Disco compatriot Appleblim, No Symbols label boss Beneath and Glasgow’s own Highlife world house gurus Auntie Flo and Esa for a unique large-scale night. Fri 20 Dec.
TYCI The feminist zine / radio show / club night / cultural movement was co-founded by Chvrches’ Lauren Mayberry, so it’s heartening to see that she’s still in touch with her roots in the wake of global electro-pop stardom. She’ll be performing a DJ set alongside the Pretty Ugly DJs, Sons & Daughters’ Adele Bethel and some surprise guests. Sat 21 Dec. (Niki Boyle)
14 Nov–12 Dec 2013 THE LIST 21