Wednesday 28 November 2007

Embassy artist in residence - call for submissions

The current Embassy artist in residence Mike Chavez-Dawson is looking for participants for his Edinburgh projects - details are below.  Please could you circulate these to anyone you think may be interested.
 
 
 
 
 
'The Remarkable Apperception'

(The Market Place Requires Hekyll & Jybe)

 

'On a late cold rainy October afternoon in 2000 whilst on a train journey from Edinburgh to Glasgow, it was born. It was at the half waypoint between Edinburgh and Glasgow when I fell into a half awake state with my thoughts before me becoming hallucinogenic visions: I saw myself finishing a series of Gallery Guard performances at key points in a medieval themed village on some 60's TV set (some arty sci-fi series), amongst the false piazzas I caught a glimpse of Andy Kauffman, Peter Sellers and Andy Warhol disappearing into a broom cupboard, unseen I followed them. Like a fly on a wall I witnessed a game of soggy biscuit between the three; Janis Joplin and Valerie Solanas stood in the shadows, shrouded in white cloaks chanting some undecipherable words (which later I would identify as 'Robin Nature-Bold'). With a tick of the long arm the scene became an unruly and uncaged zoo; Moths, Peacocks, Donkeys, Cuckoos, a man in wooden underpants setting fire to his moustache, a trip to Margate's Dreamland and a guest appearance of a symmetrically faced, eyes closed, grey skinned & suited man in specs, tubes, fluids, and psychedelic colours. In a misty haze Janis Joplin and Valerie Solanas were now Siamese twins and from their joint womb slithered forth a paper pulp substance into a vat of photographic developing fluid. The train jolted violently to a stop (some signal fault) and I awoke me from my trance like state, emblazed on my retinas was an image of a blind guitarist with the words 'I Just Want To be A Fucking Cool Artist' carved into his chest, I muttered the words and the name Robin Nature-Bold, and thought to myself I must return to the curry house 'Kushhl's' when I'm back in Edinburgh.'

Extract from Mike Dawson's Notebook, 11/10/00

 

Mike Chavez-Dawson will use the above extract as the starting point for his residency, he will undertake a series of performances and collaborative works to re-examine the creation of his second alter ego Robin Nature-Bold and Nature-Bolds relation to his original alter ego The Gallery Guard. Both alter egos have seemingly differing agendas when it comes to creating works of art, but both employ comparable methods. Chavez-Dawson will create a metaphorical link between Robert Louis Stevenson (The Strange Case of) Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde and Roland Barthes 'Music Practica' as a loose narrative & contextual inspiration to underpin his various works.

 

For more info visit: www.myspace.com/mikechavezdawson

 

Call for submission and participants:

 

Mike Chavez-Dawson, would like to invite Embassy members, committee members (past & present) and associates to create a piece of work based on his extract (Notebook, 11/10/00), this can be in any medium, though wall based pieces shouldn't be any bigger than A2, video & audio works submitted shouldn't be any longer than 3 minutes (and will be part of a show reel displayed on a wall mounted monitor). For consideration, please send a loose outline of what you will create and three samples of your work or link to your website, Deadline 10 December '07.

 

Chavez-Dawson, is also looking for photographers, filmmakers, and sound artists to assist with documenting his performances, these will be made into works that will be show during his exhibition. Also, he would like to make contact with any performance oriented artist/musicians, again send sample of works and contact details. Please contact ASAP.

 

Performances

 

Chavez-Dawson will present his alter ego Robin Nature-Bolds performance 'WHAT EVER YOU SEE ARE YOUR OWN DEMONS, THEY'RE NOT COMING FROM ME' at the Embassy Gallery 4th December, doors at 6.30pm performance starts at 7.15pm prompt, please wear as much white clothes/garments you have and bring a fresh unboiled egg with you, you will be given a piece of text to explain the case in hand at the time, please keep an open mind.

 

Chavez-Dawson will present his alter ego The Gallery Guards performance 'CARRYING THE FRAME' starting at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop at 9.30am, 12 th December (tbc) he will attempt to visit every gallery/art space in Edinburgh, exact details to be posted nearer the time, though he would like anyone to join him on his journey or meet him at the venues (times tbc), he would also like them to tell him about their favourite work of art, but he won't be able to respond as he will take a vow of silence during the pilgrimage, his end destination will be The Embassy Gallery.

 

 


Friday 23 November 2007

Louise Milne book launch invite

 
Dr Louise Milne
Lecturer in Critical Theory
Dept. Photography Film & Video
School of Creative Industries
Napier University
Marchmont Campus
61 Marchmont Rd
Edinburgh EH9 1HU
l.milne@eca.ac.uk
 
Centre for Visual & Cultural Studies
Edinburgh College of Art    
Evolution House
78 West Port
Edinburgh
EH1 2LE

Thursday 22 November 2007

FW: New Media Scotland Christmas and Cezanne Leaving Party!

 
New Media Scotland Logo
 New Media Scotland invites you to a 
 
Holiday Party and Cezanne's Leaving Party
7-9pm, December 4th 2007
The Speakeasy Bar, The Voodoo Rooms,
19a West Register Street, Edinburgh.
Click here for a map to the venue.
Come and join us for a festive drink to celebrate the season and to send Cezanne off in style. 
 
Please RSVP to rsvp 'at' mediascot 'dot' org
 

Wednesday 21 November 2007

The Call of the Wild, Spartacus Chetwynd

 
collective_logo One Mile Programme Presents.....
title bar
"The Call of the Wild"
by Spartacus Chetwynd

Spartacus Film Still

book now for one off film screening
in the underground city 'Mary Kings Close' Edinburgh

Friday 30 November 7-9pm

This is a once in a lifetime experience! The climax of Spartacus Chetwynd's new work made with the Collective's One Mile Programme.

Screenings will be held throughout Edinburgh's own eerie underground city 'Mary Kings Close'. The evening will be hosted by Spartacus and will include two simultaneous film screenings accompanied by live music.


The new commission 'The Call of the Wild' juxtaposes events in the wilderness of Lewis (Western Isles) with urban Edinburgh. Drawing influence from films such as 'Walkabout', 'Picnic at Hanging rock 'and the anthropological film 'Les Maitres Fous' (The Mad Masters, Jean Rouch, 1955).

Spartacus was invited by the Collective Gallery's One Mile Programme to spend September 2006 in Edinburgh developing a new art work in collaboraton with a variety of people met within a one mile radius during that time; they included students on a pattern cutting course, a knitting demonstrator and someone she dressed up as a chimp. They all feature in the film.
 
There are 4 screening times throughout the evening at 18:45, 19:15, 19:45 and 20:15. Meet at the Gallery from 6.30 for beer or bloody mary, you will be led to the Close in pre-booked groups.

Places are FREE but limited and must be pre-booked
To secure your place on this unmissable event reply to this email or call 0131 220 1260.
For more information on One Mile click here

Hey Student
webfooter
This email was sent to n.mulholland@eca.ac.uk, by onemile@collectivegallery.net
Collective | 22-28 Cockburn Street | Edinburgh | EH1 1NY | United Kingdom

Tuesday 20 November 2007

New Gallery space in Edinburgh, Studio Two at the GRV

STUDIO TWO

After then GRV launches on November the 16th two new gallery spaces
will also be opened featuring work of both local and international
artists working in a range of different media. We are currently
looking for submissions for exhibitions to feature in STUDIO TWO from
early December 2007 onwards and would like to invite you to submit
proposals for new or existing work.

About the GRV
The GRV is an urban sanctuary for multi-media arts, creative culture
and music in Edinburgh's city centre. The GRV functions as a melting
pot of creative practice, performance and exhibition. Spread over
four floors, the newly renovated site holds all the potential to
become the focal point for contemporary artistic entertainment in the
city.

About Studio Two
Studio Two is a purpose built gallery uniquely prepared to feature
both digital and traditional medias. The flexible gallery is a step
beyond the standard white cube space with large windows at one end
giving both natural light and views over North Bridge and the Cowgate.

There are no limits of the type of media you wish to exhibit or to the
use of the space. The programming of the space will however lean
toward new and digital media, including performance and new curatorial
practice. The only condition on using the space is that the gallery
itself is reinstated at the end of each exhibition.


Please find attached the submission form and email it to studio.two@gmail.com.

For further information please call Christopher Will on 01312202987.

Monday 19 November 2007

New Work Scotland Programme - Jason Nelson

 
New Work Scotland Programme - Jason Nelson
Saturday 24th Nov - Saturday 22nd Dec


 
 
 
Jason Nelson01
 
You are invited to the preview of the next and final installment of the New Work Scotland Programme 2007, a solo show of new work by Jason Nelson,
Friday 23rd November, 7-9pm at the Collective Gallery.

 
Collective are providing a free return bus from Dundee for the preview. Leaving from outside Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design at 6pm. Returning from Market St, Edinburgh at 12 midnight. To book a seat: please contact the Collective Gallery on 0131 220 1260 or email jillbrown@collectivegallery.net

 
Gallery Open: Tues - Sat, 12 - 5pm.
Exhibition Talk: Thurs 29th November, 7-8pm.
Live Music: Thurs 29th November, 8-10pm.

Collective is funded by The Scottish Arts Council and Edinburgh City Council.
New Work Scotland Programme is funded by Esmee Fairbairn.

Collective | 22-28 Cockburn Street | Edinburgh | EH1 1NY | United Kingdom

'The Weirding and the Uncanny' - GSA MFA exchange exhibition

 

The Weirding and the Uncanny

A Host Production

Curator: Levi Hanes

 

1 December - 14 December 2007

Newbery Gallery

The Glasgow School of Art

 

Private View: Friday 30 November 6pm – 8pm

 

 

 

 

The Weirding and the Uncanny is a Host production. Host is a collective based in Edinburgh and Glasgow, established to facilitate exhibitions for independent artists' groups and individuals. Curated by MFA student, Levi Hanes, the exhibition incorporates a range of international artists using digital video, photography, painting, drawing, and sculpture to explore notions of utopia and dystopia, mystery and the uncanny.

 

The Weirding derives from the books of Frank Herbert's Dune series and is given to a mystical/psychological/physiological means of manipulating the subject's surroundings. Herbert's influence for the geography of the book comes from Florence, Oregon a beach town dominated by monstrous invading sand dunes.

 

Many of the artists selected for the show come from the West Coast of the United States, notably Oregon, which shares a wilderness of Gothic weirdness akin to the landscapes of Scotland. The intention of the show is to reflect the similarities and differences held by artists across the continents. Though many of the artists are from varied locales, they share geographic and thematic similarities along with inevitable foreignness inherent to their cultural differences.

 

Artists in the show include:

Nat Andreini (USA), Jake Arcularius (USA), Ruth Barker (UK), Mark Briggs (UK), Nicolas Ceccaldi (EU), Luke Collins (UK), Ashby Collinson (UK), Helen de Main (UK), Salomeh Grace (UK), Levi Hanes (UK), Maj Hasager (EU), Midori Hirose  (USA), Ragnar Jonasson (UK), Heike Kabisch (UK), Lucy Keany (UK), Conor Kelly (UK), Kristan Kennedy (USA), Corey Lunn (USA), Veronica Lussier (UK), Niall MacDonald (UK), Tamar Monhait (USA), Douglas Morland (UK), Katie Orton (UK), Rallou Panagiotou (UK), Daniel Peterson (USA), Meg Peterson (USA), Kevin Pollock (UK), Nathanial Price (USA), Adam Sorensen (USA), Zefrey Throwell (USA), Tracy Timmins (USA), Emmett Walsh (UK), Jay Winebrenner (USA).

 

To contact Host please email: hostcollective@gmail.com

 

PLEASE FIND PRESS RELEASE ATTACHED.

 

For listings:

 

1.  Jerwood Drawing Prize 2007

27 Nov 2007 – 12 Jan 2008
Mackintosh Gallery

 

The Jerwood Drawing Prize is the country's leading award in drawing, and is the largest and longest running annual open exhibition dedicated to drawing in the UK. The first prize was awarded to Melanie Jackson for A Global Positioning System (2006). Second prize was awarded to Brighid Lowe for Rain Drawing (1) (2006). Student Prizes were won by Minho Kwon and GSA alumnus Daisy Richardson.

 

 

2.  THE WEIRDING AND THE UNCANNY

A Host Production

1 Dec – 14 Dec 2007

Newbery Gallery

 

An international student exchange exhibition. The Weirding and the Uncanny is curated by MFA student Levi Hanes and organised by Host. Host is a collective based in Edinburgh and Glasgow, initiated by MFA students from both Glasgow School of Art and Edinburgh College of Art.

 

 

Opening hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm; Sat 10am – 2pm; Sun closed

 

 

For further information or press images, please contact Gráinne Rice or Talitha Kotzé at The Glasgow School of Art Exhibitions Office on 0141 353 4538 or email g.rice@gsa.ac.uk / t.kotze@gsa.ac.uk

www.gsa.ac.uk

 

 

Talitha Kotzé

Exhibitions Assistant
The Glasgow School of Art
167 Renfrew Street
Glasgow G3 6RQ

t +44(0)141 353 4525
f +44(0)141 353 4746
e T.Kotze@gsa.ac.uk

 

Friday 16 November 2007

Yé-Yé

 

. 17 November – 10 January : Yé-Yé

At the French Institute
Opening hours of the Institute
Free

Preview on 17 November at 6pm

Michelle Naismith and David Michael Clarke relocated independently to France in the 1990s following residencies in Nantes. Their work then turned subtly towards more Francophone philosophical concerns less visible in Scotland, while retaining some of the pop qualities that were held in suspicion in France during the 90s. It negotiates a cultural gap in this sense, drawing sustenance from the worlds of music and fashion.
Photography, video and installation.

In partnership with Edinburgh College of Art, curated by Neil Mulholland.
Kindly supported by Richer Sounds Edinburgh

 

Wednesday 14 November 2007

News from New Media Scotland

 

nms newsletter logonms logo and link

Vol. 2, No.11
13/11/07
In This Issue
Upgrade! Scotland
Upgrade! Feedback
What can we do for you?
Other Opportunities

New Media Scotland receives regular funding from the Scottish Arts Council

Scottish Arts Council
 
 


Upgrade! Scotland
Zoë Irvine and Mark Vernon
Tuesday 27th November 2007 at CCA
6.30pm for 7pm

Upgrade! Scotland is proud to present Mark Vernon and Zoë Irvine this November bringing with them their characteristic humour and delight in recorded sound of all kinds.

Mark Vernon

 

Mark Vernon and Zoë Irvine work between art, music, radio and sound. They have been working prolifically at the forefront of their field using radio, tape and found audio material to create intimate links between their practices. The dislocation of the recorded voice and the ability to manipulate, or cut up, tape creates a precursor to the limitless possibilities of digital manipulation which both artists employ with great sensitivity.

 

For more information about these artists please visit Upgrade! Scotland's website here

Tuesday 27th November - CCA, Glasgow

Join us for drinks from 6.30pm with the talk starting at 7pm. Expect the usual informative but informal Upgrade! atmosphere. Admission is free, but to make sure of a seat please email:
rsvp 'at' mediascot 'org'

 

PLEASE NOTE THIS UPGRADE! IS ON A TUESDAY

Upgrade! Scotland - What next?
After two successful years of Upgrade! Scotland events we are thinking about ways to improve and develop. We would be very grateful for your thoughts and suggestions. If you are interested in taking part in this discussion and to share your ideas for the future of Upgrade! Scotland via email, please contact Luke Collins, Programmes Associate: luke 'at' mediascot.org
What can New Media Scotland do for you?
Many New Media Scotland projects happen as a result of our ongoing dialogue with practitioners in art and technology. So get in touch to tell us about your ideas, suggestions, or just to let us know what you are up to. Give us a call or drop us a line (contact details are on our website). Or why not come to one of our events? Our programmes are open to all and we endeavour to make them as accessible as possible, however if you have any special needs or requirements it would be helpful to know in advance, so please contact us if that is the case.
Other Opportunities, Events, and News
 
1. Awards - The Wellcome Trust - small to medium-sized projects, London, UK.
Deadline: 15 November. http://www.wellcome.ac.uk

2. Employment - Programme Director, Darklight, Dublin, Ireland.
Darklight is Ireland's premier digital festival for filmmakers, animators and artists whose work explores the convergence of art, film and technology.
Deadline: 16 November
http://www.darklight.ie

3. Residency - Digital Artist in Residence, Stirling Council
Stirling Council is currently recruiting for a Digital Artist in Residence post (30 hours a week). We are looking for someone with experience of film and / or animation.  We are interested in individuals applying for this post but also for Digital Media Organisations who are interested in taking the residency forward. 
 
Closing date: Friday 23rd November 2007

Interviews: 1st week of December
 
Fee:  £21,000 (£350 per 30 hour week, excluding all school holidays).  Artists will be employed on a self-employed basis. 
  
For further information about the post please contact: Clare Hoare, Cultural Coordinator, Stirling Council, Tolbooth, Jail Wynd, Stirling, FK8 1DE or email hoarec@stirling.gov.uk.


4. Call for Curatorial Proposals - New Work UK, LUX/ Whitechapel, London, UK.
Deadline: 30 November http://tinyurl.com/yp43lb

5. Award - Jerwood Moving Image Awards, UK. Deadline: 3 December.
http://www.jerwoodmovingimage.org

6. Proposals from Artists - Film and Video Umbrella, London, UK.
FVU welcome two types of applications; Exhibition Proposals from artists who wish to be commissioned to make a new work in film, video or digital media; and Development Proposals from artists wishing develop ideas or proposals for film, video or digital media works.
Deadline: 11 December.
http://www.fvu.co.uk

7. Residency - Artists' Enclave at I-Park, East Haddam, Connecticut, USA.
Deadline: 31 December.
http://www.i-park.org



This email was sent to n.mulholland@eca.ac.uk, by newsletter@mediascot.org
New Media Scotland | 45 Marchmont Crescent | Edinburgh | EH9 1HF | United Kingdom

Tuesday 13 November 2007

Blackwell Lecture: Bamber Gascoigne on Colour Printing

BLACKWELL LECTURE 2007

Charmers and Charlatans:
Masters of Colour Printing

Bamber Gascoigne

5.15pm, Wednesday November 14

Playfair Library, Old COllege

Reception to Follow


This year's Blackwell Lecture will be given by author and broadcaster
Bamber Gascoigne. who will speak on the first four centuries of colour
printing in Europe in his lecture 'Charmers and Charlatans: Early
Masters of Colour Printing'.

Bamber Gascoigne has written and presented numerous historical
documentaries on television including The Christians, Man and Music and
The Great Moghuls. He was also, for 25 years, the presenter of
University Challenge.

Although best known from television, he works primarily as a writer and
has published some 20 books, ranging from history to fiction and
children's books. More recently, he has developed an online digital
world history called 'History World' and a related site, 'Time Search',
which uses timelines as a way of searching the internet.

Bamber Gascoigne is an authority on the history and techniques of
printmaking and graphic reproduction. His text book, How to Identify
Prints (1968) has become a standard in the print departments of colleges
and museums.

For more information on the lecture, including any accessibility
enquiries, please contact Ross Alloway on 0131 651 1716 or email
chb@ed.ac.uk.

The lecture is organised by The Centre for the History of the Book and
sponsored by Blackwell Book Shops.

ABERDEEN ART GALLERY HOSTS HOMECOMING VENICE BIENNALE EXHIBITION

SCOTLAND AND VENICE 2007
 
ABERDEEN ART GALLERY HOSTS
HOMECOMING VENICE BIENNALE EXHIBITION
 
Six of Scotland's most exciting and innovative artists, selected to represent the country at the world's most important showcase for contemporary art, this year's 52nd Venice Biennale, will present their homecoming exhibition, Scotland and Venice 2007 at Aberdeen Art Gallery from Saturday 1 December 2007 until Sunday 27 January 2008.
 
Press Preview: 
Fri 30 Nov, 10am for 10.15 until 11am
 
Venue:         
Aberdeen Art Gallery, Schoolhill
Aberdeen , AB10 1FQ
 
Dates:         
Sat 1 Dec 2007 – Sun 27 Jan 2008
 
Opening Hours: 
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm
Free
 
For further press information, please contact:
Wendy Grannon, Press Manager, Scotland and Venice 2007
T: +44 (0)7916 137 632 / E: press@scotlandandvenicebiennale.com
 
Scotland and Venice 2007 is a collaboration between the Scottish Arts Council, British Council and National Galleries of Scotland.
The exhibition in Aberdeen is the result of a partnership between Scotland and Venice 2007 and Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums.  This exhibition is supported by the Aberdeen City Council-City Growth Fund.
 
...............................................................
 
For further information and quotes, please read on or go to: wwww.scotlandandvenicebiennale.com
 
Six of Scotland's most exciting and innovate artists, selected to represent the country at the world's most important showcase for contemporary art, this year's 52nd Venice Biennale, will present their homecoming exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery from Saturday 1 December until Sun 27 January 2008.
 
Hosted by the Scottish Arts Council, National Galleries of Scotland and British Council, and curated by Philip Long, Scotland and Venice 2007 features the work of Charles Avery, Henry Coombes, Louise Hopkins, Rosalind Nashashibi, Lucy Skaer and Tony Swain. The exhibition in Aberdeen is the result of a partnership between Scotland and Venice 2007 and Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums.  This exhibition is supported by the Aberdeen City Council-City Growth Fund.
 
Recognised as the world's largest and most prestigious international showcase for contemporary visual art, the Venice Biennale of Art takes place every two years. More than 65 countries participate in the five-month event, with each country hosting an exhibition or pavilion dedicated solely to the work of its chosen artists.
 
Scotland and Venice 2007 complemented further presentations from the UK taking place across the city at the same time.  The British Pavilion featured a solo show of work by Tracey Emin; Northern Ireland's presentation featured the work of Willie Doherty in a show curated by Hugh Mulholland and the work of Richard Deacon, Merlin James and Heather & Ivan Morison appeared in Wales' presentation, curated by Hannah Firth.
 
Scotland and Venice 2007 continues to build on a distinguished history of Scottish participation at the Biennale.  Scottish artists have exhibited work in Venice since 1897 (the 2nd Biennale), when works by the Glasgow Boys and others were shown.
Since then artists such as Eduardo Paolozzi and, more recently, Mark Boyle, Christine Borland, Douglas Gordon and Roderick Buchanan have also participated in exhibitions.
 
In 1990, to celebrate Glasgow 's position as European City of Culture, the Scottish Sculpture Trust was invited to exhibit and Clare Henry and Angela Wrapson curated a show featuring the work of David Mach, Arthur Watson and Kate Whiteford.
 
The Zenomap exhibition of 2003; the Selective Memory exhibition of 2005 and this years Scotland and Venice 2007 exhibition are the result of a strategic partnership of organisations with national and international remits, which aim to continue the legacy of Scottish artists who have gone before and who have paved the way for artists of today.
 
Zenomap featured the work of Claire Barclay, Jim Lambie and Simon Starling, curated by Francis McKee and Kay Pallister as well as other artists associated with Scotland . Selective Memory, featuring work by Alex Pollard, partnership Joanne Tatham and Tom O'Sullivan, and Cathy Wilkes was curated by Jason Bowman and Joanne Bradley. Subsequent to their work having been shown at the Biennale each of the artists has achieved considerable success; being invited to show their work nationally and internationally.  Notably, Simon Starling won the 2005 Turner Prize, the same year in which Jim Lambie was nominated as one of the three finalists.
 
The homecoming Scotland and Venice 2007 exhibition in Aberdeen offers Scottish audiences a singular opportunity to experience at first hand, this critically acclaimed presentation of work by artists emerging from Scotland .  Aberdeen Art Gallery is well known for its historic emphasis on collecting and exhibiting contemporary work as part of a collecting initiative administered through the Contemporary Art Society by which works by Jim Lambie, Kenny Hunter, Gavin Turk, Damien Hirst, Julian Opie, Ian Hamilton Finlay and Martin Parr have been acquired. Meanwhile, the Gallery's exhibition programme has most recently featured a major show of new work by Dalziel + Scullion along with new work, Knockturne, by David Blyth; an intervention by Ross Sinclair; La Vie Nouvelle: Lise Sarfati in partnership with Magnum Photos and David Beckham by Sam Taylor Wood in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery.
 
Commenting on Scotland and Venice 2007, Curator, Philip Long said: 'Art from Scotland is at one of its most progressive moments and our chosen artists represent this position in the form of six highly individual talents. As with the heterogeneous character of the Biennale, the work of Charles Avery, Henry Coombes, Louise Hopkins, Rosalind Nashashibi, Lucy Skaer and Tony Swain is diverse, exciting and unpredictable.
Each artist, however, seems to us to share as part of their concern an interest in cultural similarities and differences, and the issues such differences present. Some on occasion use invented worlds to investigate their concerns; others make use of comparisons, real situations or look back into history. What is clear is that each artist works with such ability and often with such surprising and new means that they have the power to alter perceptions.'
 
He continued: 'Scotland's internationally recognised art schools, a highly supportive network of fellow artists, and a range of galleries and funding opportunities forms part of the reason why artists of such ability maintain their connection with this country. We hope that the invitation to exhibit in Venice encourages the selected and other artists to think of Scotland as a place which can provide an expanding range of opportunities, not only at home but also abroad. The Venice Biennale provides global exposure and we feel each of the selected artists are at a particular point in their career when such an opportunity will bring the wider attention they deserve, as has been the case for artists involved in Scotland's previous presentations.'
 

Charles Avery

Working across a range of media, Avery's art is characterised by formal beauty, humour and a spirit of philosophical enquiry. Avery's most high profile work to date is his ongoing Islanders project, in which over a ten-year period he has described in drawing, painting and sculpture the topology and cosmology of an imaginary island, inspired by his childhood living in the Inner Hebrides. Avery was born in 1973 in Oban. Based in London , he is represented by doggerfisher/Susanna Beaumont, Edinburgh; Galleria Sonia Rosso, Turin and Galeria S.A.L.E.S, Rome .
 
Henry Coombes
Henry Coombes' work investigates the entrenched political, cultural and class connotations of the traditional media in which he works. Film, oil paint and watercolour are used to seduce the viewer into familiar images, which on inspection reveal a subversive subtext. Coombes was born in London in 1977 and completed his BA at Glasgow School of Art in 2002. He is based in Glasgow and represented by Sorcha Dallas, Glasgow .
 
Louise Hopkins
Using a variety of materials such as furnishing fabric, newspapers, song sheets, maps and comic strips as the basis for her works, Louise Hopkins' art can at first appear playful and sensuous. Her primary intention, however, is not one of embellishment, but of disruption. Her use of paint to alter the meaning of the original material on which she works is disorientating and at times disturbing. Hopkins was born in Hertfordshire in 1965. She studied at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Polytechnic and Glasgow School of Art, where she completed her MFA in 1994. She is based in Glasgow and is represented by doggerfisher/Susanna Beaumont , Edinburgh and Andrew Mummery, London.

 

Rosalind Nashashibi

Observation of group interaction and social rituals are the starting points for Rosalind Nashashibi, who uses primarily 16mm film. She is concerned with portraying the psychological atmosphere of locations and detecting subconscious projections. To do this she films scenes from reality, often filtered through the visual language of primitivism. Born in Croydon in 1973, Nashashibi studied at Sheffield University and Glasgow School of Art, where she completed her MFA in 2000. She is based in London and is represented by doggerfisher/Susanna Beaumont , Edinburgh and Harris Liebermann, New York .
 

Lucy Skaer

Lucy Skaer works conceptually and in three and two dimensions. In the latter she commonly utilises imagery which she finds in photojournalistic reportage. Working on paper – large stretches that in scale resemble unfurled banners, flags or giant scrolls – she draws in graphite, adding enamel paint, ink and gold leaf, producing images which appear fluid and shifting, and open to interpretation. Skaer also creates public interventions and is a founding member of the artists' collaborative group, Henry VIII's Wives. Born in Cambridge in 1975 Skaer studied at Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1997. She is based in Glasgow , and has recently spent extended time in Berlin , Amsterdam and New York .  Skaer is represented by doggerfisher/Susanna Beaumont, Edinburgh.
 

Tony Swain

A sheet or cut section of newsprint provides the basis for Swain's meticulously executed paintings, which offer us a view into a complex and surreal private world. Using the disconnected images found across such a spread, Swain works over this, embellishing imagery, distorting and extending perspectives and introducing new figurative and abstract imagery to produce works which are mesmeric and intriguing.
Swain was born in Lisburn in Northern Ireland in 1967 and studied at Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1990. He is based in Glasgow and is represented by The Modern Institute/Toby Webster Ltd, Glasgow.
 
Jim Tough, Acting Chief Executive, Scottish Arts Council said: 'Scottish Arts Council, British Council Scotland and National Galleries of Scotland are delighted that the critically acclaimed exhibition, Scotland and Venice 2007, will be showing at Aberdeen Art Gallery over the winter months.' 
'As one of the most prestigious international showcases for the visual arts, Scotland 's presentation at the Venice Biennale demonstrated the vibrancy of Scottish contemporary art on the world stage.'
'With the support of Aberdeen City Council and staff at Aberdeen Art Gallery, the homecoming exhibition creates an opportunity for people across Scotland and the UK to experience at first hand, the work of these six highly skilled and imaginative artists.'
 
John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: 'Scotland and Venice 2007 was a great success at the Biennale, bringing some of our most talented artists into the world's most competitive and demanding arena for international contemporary art.   Now we are delighted to be bringing this superb show back home so that our own public can experience the vitality and resonance of this important presentation of Scottish art.'
 
Roy Cross, Director, British Council Scotland said: 'British Council Scotland is proud to continue its involvement with the six artists selected for the Venice Biennale. The critical response given to the artists further highlights Scotland 's role as an international hub of diverse creativity and innovation.'
 
Christine Rew, Art Gallery and Museums Manager, Aberdeen Art Gallery said: 'We are delighted to be working in partnership with Scotland and Venice 2007 to present this magnificent exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery .'
'We have a long-established tradition, dating back to the foundation of the Art Gallery in 1885, of collecting and exhibiting the best of contemporary art, which this inspiring installation of the work by six of Scotland 's most exciting artists continues.'
'By bringing the exhibition to Aberdeen those who live and work in the North East as well as further afield, will have a fantastic opportunity to see first hand the special, ground-breaking, quality of art created in Scotland today, which has earned the country an international reputation for progressive innovation.'
 
Culture Minister, Linda Fabiani said: 'This year's Venice Biennale was a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate Scotland 's cultural excellence to the world.  I am glad to see these six wonderful artists now exhibiting in Aberdeen and I am sure that Scotland and Venice 2007 will attract many visitors.'
 
Notes to Editors:
i)Scotland and Venice 2007 will take place at Aberdeen Art Gallery from Saturday 1 December 2007 – Sunday 27 January 2008.
 
ii)Scotland and Venice 2007 is a collaboration between the Scottish Arts Council, National Galleries of Scotland and British Council Scotland. The exhibition in Aberdeen is the result of a partnership between Scotland and Venice 2007 and Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums.  This exhibition is supported by the Aberdeen City Council-City Growth Fund.
 
iii)Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums curates and develops the rich cultural heritage of Aberdeen City Council's outstanding collections of artefacts and art. It operates four of North East Scotland's premier visitor attractions – Aberdeen Maritime Museum , Provost Skene's House, The Tolbooth and the magnificent Art Gallery – and strives to deliver programmes of exhibitions, events and lifelong learning that challenge, inspire and enlighten.
 
iv)The Scottish Arts Council champions and sustains the arts for Scotland , investing over £60 million from Scottish Executive and National Lottery funding to support and develop artistic excellence and creativity throughout Scotland . The Venice Biennale represents a high-profile international opportunity to raise the profile of visual artists working in Scotland in a national and international context. www.scottisharts.org.uk 
 
v)The National Galleries of Scotland cares for, develops, researches and displays the national collection of Scottish and international fine art and, with a lively and innovative programme of exhibitions, education and publications, aims to engage, inform and inspire the broadest possible public. In Edinburgh it comprises of five magnificent buildings, the National Gallery of Scotland, Royal Scottish Academy Building , Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Gallery . www.nationalgalleries.org
 
vi)The British Council is the United Kingdom 's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Our purpose is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries and to increase appreciation of the UK 's creative ideas and achievements.
British Council Scotland works with partner organisations in Scotland , the UK and internationally to connect Scotland and the world through the arts, education, science and governance. The British Council's offices in 110 countries and territories around the world provide Scotland with an international gateway and strengthen Scotland 's reputation around the world. www.britishcouncil.org
 
 


Wendy Grannon
Mobile: +44 (0)7916 137 632
Email: wendygrannon@yahoo.co.uk