Wednesday 9 October 2013

Glasgow International art festival launched - by Brian Ferguson in The Scotsman

Glasgow International art festival launched

by BRIAN FERGUSON

MORE than 40 different sites around Glasgow are to be part of the city’s flagship visual art celebration in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.

Around 80 artists from around the world will have their work showcased during the biannual Glasgow International, which will be staged for the sixth time in 2014.

Organisers say more than 90 per cent of the work on display during the 18-day spring event will either be brand new or will be on display for the first time in the UK.

Although galleries across the city centre will be hosting the majority of the show solo and group shows, artists will be transforming two sites near the Emirates Arena in the east end - at Dalmarnock and Bridgeton - as well as the old Govanhill Baths, which will be taken over by inflatables.

Shows will be inspired by the historic collections at the city’s Kelvingrove museum, the impact of television and the Empire Exhibitions.

Other exhibitions at the festival include one which will feature a fully-functioning nail bar and another showcasing works of art which jump out of their frames.

Extra funding has been secured for next year’s festival - which will run from 4-21 April - which will see it be part of the programmes for both the 2014 Year of Homecoming and the Glasgow 2014 cultural programme.

Artists bringing major shows to the city include Aleksandra Domanovic, from Serbia, Germany’s Michael Stumpf, and Americans Michael Smith, Jordan Wolfson and Avery Singer.

Festival director Sarah McCrory said: “Glasgow International will continue to show the strength of the renowned and exceptional production from within Glasgow, as well as invite artists into the city to embed into its museums and alternative spaces, encouraging discourse around multifarious topics ranging from new technologies and museum taxonomies to the use of humour.

“Once again the festival will provide a focus on the wealth of its arts organisations and communities, whilst embracing input to these discussions from international practitioners.”

Source: http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/arts/visual-arts/glasgow-international-art-festival-launched-1-3131088

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