Hairdressers’ Space – Creative Crossover

Q: What do you get when you cross an established writers’ group, one emergent visual artist, two live bands and a token piano?

A: A creative dynamic unlike anything Glasgow has ever encountered and, in our increasingly inter-disciplinary era, may prove a pioneering prototype for Plenary’s of the future.

Take said ingredients and house them in an atmospheric, appealingly antiquated space in a key central location. Add a few dollops of international delegates. Pour in some plucky and inquistive general public. Then leave to simmer, letting the creative juices flow.

The Hairdressers’ Space opposite Stereo has proved itself, in its various recent incarnations, as something of a hotbed for current cultural inclination. Anyone remember that stomach-swilling site specific installation – THE ORZEL? This gutsy, makeshift masterpiece recreated the claustrophobia of a submariner’s experience. It drew colossal crowds during its shortlived stint in Autumn of last year.

Later, GI‘s notoriously well attended social epicentre Le Drapeau Noir  sprung up on site as a beautifully bolshy bastion of bohemian nightlife. With a knowing nod to the Berlin scene, artists, writers, performers and partiers adorned the entrance throughout, belching out from its teeming interior. The constant ebb and flow of general public and GI affiliates ensured that requests for a more permanent exhibition-site-come-social-venue (and all round alternate reality) piled in from all corners.

Post inundation of pleading enquiries Stereo invested in the space, shrewdly selecting certain events to fill its drafty but undeniably endearing walls.

Almost incidentally, a modest but curiously momentous mini-Glasgow institution was forged. And its reputation is ever-mounting. The day is nigh when reference to the venue will no longer be suffixed, in parenthesis, by the information (opposite Stereo). It continues to craft its distinct identity as a cubbyhole for culture with unforseen kudos. Crucially, it retains an ‘almost- undergroundness’ which characterises the best of the city’s galleries and arts sites such as SWG3.

IETM now occupies this kooky kernel of Glasgow’s creative space for four days throughout Voices- the Autumn performing arts Plenary taking place across Glasgow from 4-7 November.

Plywood, a three piece band will set the scene upstairs within. IETM’s delegates, kept well-oiled by the licensed bar below, may mingle at leisure round candle lit tables on the mezzanine. Playing from 11pm on Thursday 4 Nov Plywood have the luxury of a bright eyed and bushy-tailed crowd, raring for the programme of performance, productions and parties. By Sunday 7, these same sociable arts professionals, we can safely surmise, may not be feeling quite so fresh nor so chipper.

Seeds of Thought then saunter in to plant some smooth vocals in the varied vegetable patch that is The Hairdressers Site. Playing from 11pm on Friday 5 November these guys have the onerous, but not unenjoyable, task of revving up the crowd, rendez-voused at this Late Night Meeting Point. Playing into the wee small hours they expertly combine spoken word with performative elements and music.

Fence writers’ group will be resident in the space throughout, holding a series of workshops, events and meetings for IETM attendees. Readings will be held, at intervals, during each day. The setting alone will propel pens towards paper in all its strange, chilling, (if somewhat chilly -heaters provided!) faded grandeur.

And what, you may query, could pose as a fitting backdrop to this veritable glut of clever creative interplay? Just when you thought you couldn’t manage another morsel IETM, collaboratively with Central Station have  curated the work of a visual artist to add to the array. Calling upon the talents of deft draughtsman and sound social commentator, artist Leigh Chorlton. The winner of the Emerging Artist Competition will exhibit throughout the Plenary with an opening on November 3 from 7pm – 10pm.  Chorlton will showcase a selection of his renaissance style renderings which parody retro culture. Exposing the rift in classical verses contemporary art he explores the theme of voices by calling figures from the past into an eclectic present context – an exhibition site which combines music, writing and performance; The Haridressers’ Space, Renfield Lane (opposite Stereo)

5/3  Radius in Motion

Actually I’ve left off half way through 5/2. As I’m walking back from Govan, I surrender that I am indeed not going to see everything; I ask myself if have I enjoyed this project?

My answer to that was to stop in to Vestiges park, grab some blue clay, sit on a bench marked number 12 on the park map and listen to my last sound work of the festival while I make my own wee creature to add to the mix.

Vestiges Park was a highlight; it was fun, and well put together.

I enjoyed my last day in the field of the festival by attending the Le Drapeau noir Closing party. Raydale Dower played the obo while accompanied by other musicians.

I thought by having a little rest before I wrote my final blog would help me re charge my battery, but it hasn’t really. The festival is over and I’m glad. I did enjoy it, I love art and I would never miss the opportunity to see it when it’s on my doorstep.

It’s the best tool to challenge the mind and keep the cogs turning.

One thing that has bothered me and is still haunting me is all these whispers about anti-GI sentiment. The truth is the festival has only inspired me since 2004. I’m not sure why this year was different; I’ve only been an audience up until now. Diversity is important and that is all I’m going to say about the festival.

Central Station made a huge difference by acknowledging the project. I suppose it’s difficult to tell if what you have contributed is worthy of being viewed. I have met a lot of people, seen a lot of spaces, places and happenings I never would have, I have been engaged, inspired and exhausted.

It has forced me to look at where I live and see it in a different way, on multiple levels. It has reminded me that making the effort and being engaged in what is happening is worth the effort.

I still need time to process all the work and the experience itself but I will keep it until I am ready to purge.

A huge Thanks to Central Station, The Skinny, all the participants in Radius, (including designers, artists, volunteers who helped make it happen) Atypical Root, and  the Gi Festival. I’ll see ya round.

Best,

Stephanie

Lost and Found Street level

“King’s Ransom (Hybrid Tea), Linder, Sorcha Dallas

Still Life, Dan Miller, SWG3 off site Osborne St

Better World Sandy Smith, SWG3 off site Osborne St.

Metal Urban Jim Lambie, Modern Institute 14-20 Osborne St.

Musique d’ameublement A tribute to Erik Satie, Played by Jamie Bolland at Le Drapeau Noir

New work from Europe was part of a two-part location exhibition a selection of work from the Outsider Art Biennale previously held at the Rackstad Museum in Arvika, Sweden.

The work again was wonderful, the inhibition, and subject matter infer playful uncensored qualities and adult content. I think this combination is more prevalent in children than we like to admit and takes a state of mind where all content is un- censorable and all expression is direct and honest.  I always go away with a sense of relief and liberation when I go to project ability. I am under no duress or  am I subjected to “politically correct” art or “fashionable” content, just contact with un- inhibited content by people expressing their life and ideas.

Street Level has a fantastic collection of video installations that have been largely unseen from previous exhibitions.

Kevin Atherton

Stephen Littman

Pictorial Heroes

Zoe Redman

Stephen Partridge

Tony Sinden

These works are exciting and have survivied time as film media  and progressive technological advances are making even showing these works quite a challenge.

See them while you can it might be your last opportunity. The quality of the installation is superb.

Linder at Sorcha Dallas. This exhibition of new and old works is fabuloso. Don’t be afraid of masterbating women, take it in stride it’s not new it’s just not normally presented in a gallery for all to enjoy. Ah the strength of this work makes me feel a little better about being a woman artist in Glasgow. (A little personal insight into my own artistic interest) The collages are stunning and the sculptural installation makes me feel like I am still in the presence of the Cakewalk. On till May 22^nd it will be getting another visit from me.

Still Life by Dan Miller. The text accompanying this show explains the intellectual relationship you might have with the exhibition… I just liked how white, damp and phallic it was. What  a great space, I hope SWG3 can do more with spaces like this, it is so much more accessable than the Warehouse.

Better World by Sandy Smith

This is a very interesting show. “promiscuous tarts” is used in the writing about this exhibition. I think that is a wonderful

description, I would say that the text is indulgent but so is the work and that’s what makes it great. It is exacuted  beautifully with extreme material contrasts, lots of shiny reflective surfaces in the midst of lots of colourful shiny lights. I f I were to describe this show out loud, I doubt it would sound like it worked, but there is a beauty in all the contrasts, persoanable suggestive texts, technology and architecture.  It is seductive and dream like, as a viewer I don’t always like a lot of intellectual talk to ruin my experience of a work; my inner child was awoken from the night I used to play with my light brite, and leave it on all through the night. “  never felt closer to you than this” is a great way describe the otherness that accompanies this exhibition.

Jim Lambie Metal Urban at the Modern Institute,

Coloring and compression, the combination of things recycled, walked upon, reflected and mirrored. Lots of color, lots of  compressed metal sculptures. I didn’t not like it, it was inviting, it had a Brancusi like feeling to the forms, not similar in simplicity, but the feeling of effortless exsistance.  It was like walking into a night club full of art, bright and mod. This was one of the last things I checked out that afternoon. I think I need to revisit it. ®®®®

Musique d’ameublement A tribute to Erik Satie, Played by Jamie Bolland at Le Drapeau Noir

 My last quiet event of the night. It was music being played on the piano, music of Saite. There was a strange guest amongst the crowd, I feel as if I have really missed something because I couldn’t make the historical connections.

Hopefully someone can fill me in. The atmoshere was lovely and I behaved.

Tramway Pecha Kucha

So I have to admit that all this art seeing is totally exhausting and the Seal dance really took it out of me from the night before, Great Fun as a festival should be, but it did cause me to move at the speed of slug the next day.

It took me much longer to post my bog and by that time everything was fairly shut and the only thing I could reasonably do was start my adventure with sharing my favourite place Le Drapeau Noir with a good friend. I should mention that I popped in to Che Camille’s to see if I could get a quick interview with Camille herself about Schema the exhibition on by Helen Shaddock (opening this Sunday, 25th April

12pm – 5pm at Che Camille, Floor 6, Argyll Chambers, 34 Buchanan St, Glasgow

With live music by First Tiger at 1pm & 3pm Exhibition runs: 6 April – 4 May)

And came away with a beauty of an accessory. So here I am taking myself way too seriously waiting outside. With my new feather fantastic!

Had a great casual talk with Raydale Dower about the place and just spent some time enjoying the nuance and art of the space itself.

Off to Tramway for Pecha Kucha A Radius Event I would like to add.

It was great here was the line up

Sarah Munro

Scott Myles

Erica Eyres

Torsten Lauschmann

Neil Bickerton

Thea Stevens

Muscles of Joy

David Shrigley

Luke Collins

Fiona Jardine

Kendall Koppe

Martin Clark

They had 6 minutes 40 seconds, 20 slides 20 seconds to share their thoughts and ideas. I am fairly confident this will be a regular thing. It was completely sold out! It was that good.

Today, talk at GFT, Cakewalk at the Arches

Performance Social landscape Clyde

More cake walk…can’t wait.

And I would just like to add that the directorial credit for Seal Dance is Emlyn Firth. :)

21/4 Radiuses in Motion

Spiel David Noonan Mitchell library

The long Loch: How do We Go On From Here? Faith Wilding and Kate Davis

Subject to Change without notice: Will Foster and Guyan Porter Intermedia

Rough Luxe 102 hope st. Mair Hughes, Yvonne Mullock and Salomeh Grace

Passages Street level film screening

Le Drapeau Noir

A great day of art and happenings that could only happen through the festival. 

The Mitchell library was my first stop, Speil by David Noonan.

An incredibly elegant and vast space is turned into a set by the sculptural work and installation of Noonan. It’s deceivingly simple, and has a playfulness that is elegant and effortless. I couldn’t help but feeling that a giant hand was hovering somewhere near by to move the objects around as if it could be rearranged at any given moment.

There is anticipation; potential energy to this work that makes me want to go back and see it again. There is a great small catalogue published by Washington Garcia with an interview between Kenall Koppe and Alhena Katsof that adds to the knowledge and experience of the work. £2

There is a film screening on Monday the 26 of April The Rite of Ingmar Bergman at 18:00. Free I hope I can make it.

The long Loch: How do We Go On From Here? I have been following Kate Davis since she did an exhibition for the 2008 GI. It was the first seemingly feminist art that I had seen in Glasgow since moving to here in 2005. She did a residency at Cove Park where she was in email dialogue with Faith Wilding. This current exhibition has grown from that. The thing I think is important about this work as that it is examining and considering past, present and future states of the subject of feminism. The exhibition feels more like a platform than something that exists as a successfully independent exhibition without considering all the research, conversations and invitations to participate.  I was slightly disappointed with the show as a exhibit on it’s own, but feel quite happy that Davis and Wilding have started something that I think will continue to grow and include people as it develops.

Subject to Change without notice: Will Foster and Guyan Porter Intermedia

I was sceptical when I walked in, very black and white room that also resembles the semblance of an office. There was lively discussion happening and the freedom to walk around. Porter and Foster have taken up residency in Intermedia gallery examining the fine print. The more I think about the concept and activity the more I like it. I was able to speak to both artists and understand ask questions, this isn’t always the case. It’s only on till next weds, so have a go.

Rough Luxe 102 hope st. Mair Hughes, Yvonne Mullock and Salomeh Grace

This was a great “not what you expect” kind of experience. 102 Hope st. looks like a very sophisticated building when you walk up the stairs. Then you enter the exhibition and it’s all sensory overload with an extreme landscape shift. These three artists have put together a temporary installation that showcases their own work without competing with each other. These Glasgow based artist are quite different from each other, they have composed an intriguing depth of content. Two thumbs up, it’s worth having a look and don’t forget to inhale. I’m not entirely sure about the hay but it is a material that conjures specific memories and scenarios.

Passages Street level film screening

I really enjoyed this event. Reliving film that was made in the 80’s and 90’s was surprisingly refreshing and captivating. Louise Crawford, Richard Crompton, Deitch,

Simon Fildes, Shaz Kerr and Bert Ross are all Scottish artists. The work itself was poetic and timeless to me I hope street Level makes this a regular thing; G-Mac has a great screening room with huge seats and beautiful screening wall. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks Malcom.

Le Drapeau Noir

This is a wonderful place to meet up have a drink meet interesting people catch a performance and well if you were me get dressed in a seal costume and do a little pole dancing. I met Urara Tsuchiya, a Japanese artist currently living in London; She caught my eye, as she was wearing a gold jumpsuit and a fur hat, shiny and fury the perfect combination. She did a Nudist Sewing Workshop on Tuesday the 20^th (that I missed) as a part of the  Le Drapeau Noir performance program. As we chatted she sowed me some documentation photos and said she had more costumes “Should she show me” One thing led to another and low and behold I was having a dance in a Seal Suit.  Great Fun! Only could this happen at an art Festival, in a special venue with eclectic and interesting people.

Their program has something on every evening until May2 starting about 7:30 you can just go for a drink and enjoy the installed digital clock by Torsten Lauschmann.

Open from 5-11. Don’t miss it!