’tis the season

to be buying, and thankfully Glasgow’s Craft Mafia and 3D/2D are coming to town. This weekend will be chockfull of handmaid goods for gifting. Glasgow Craft Mafia will be at Mono on Sunday at 1PM, and 3D/2D is teaming up with Glasgow’s Royal Concert Halls for a fair on both days (Saturday and Sunday). the 3D/2D fair costs 1.20 GBP, Mono is free.

But I’ve been fascinated by the rise of craft in the past few years, and sites like Etsy which are testament to it. More and more women I know have been picking up crochet hooks and knitting needles, and diving into book and print crafts. Shortly before coming to Glasgow I even saw a young man on the subway in NYC – knitting! Again -ON THE SUBWAY – I won’t even begin to address the risks involved in that. But props to him for having the guts. I love that knitting is beginning to cross its much stayed gender boundaries, and that all ‘craft’ – that once dirty word – is on the rise again.

Here in Glasgow I recently learned of the Burrell Collection’s tapestry project which is underway. The collection is one of the largest, and they will document the entire lot of over 200 medieval tapestries, producing the first ever exhaustive catalog. It runs concurrent with the growing interest in craft, and even weaving’s recent ascension into the, er, high(er?) art world as artists such as Grayson Perry (a recent Turner Prize recipient) take on the medium. Here’s a detail of his recently exhibited  Walthamstow Tapestry  (just came down at Victoria Miro Gallery in London).

Grayson Perry, The Walthamstow Tapestry, 2009 3 metres x 15 metres

Perry uses craft in much of his work, from ceramics to this tapestry. But I wonder if he wove it himself, or if he had the help of craftsmen from a studio. There’s that word again, ‘craftsmen’. An automatic announcement of a hierarchy. But if an artist operates as a ‘deskilled’ ideasman, then how does that affect the use of craft in the artwork? And I’m also fascinated by this quote from Perry in a Guardian review:

“In the end I will always err on the side of making something pretty and not worry about something’s being a stage set for an idea.”

I’m not sure I can take that comment at face value. If you read the materials which surround his objects, they are marketed for their ideas. They aren’t selling for hundreds of thousands of pounds at Victoria Miro for their fine craft. Here, craft seems to be used to support a larger idea, and only fractionally concerned with the skillful, decorative elements they bring.

But nonetheless, craft is making a big comeback (and a welcomed one if you ask me) even in the elitist circles of the art galleries. And here in Scotland, the Scottish Arts Council just launched a new campaign called The C Word to raise interest and dialogue about craft in Scotland.

But will the new found interest and enthusiasm last? Hard to say, but I’ll leave you with two works by a young artist who graduated from Goldsmiths just last year, Hannah Hull.

Doilies doing what they’ve always done (making whatever they cover underneath even more useless) on a grand scale.

 

Untitled (skip net) 2008 by Hannah Hull

and sand bags made out of pure silk woven by hand on a loom.

 

Sand bags 2009 by Hannah Hull; pure silk hand woven

 

 

 

 

getcha some…

photo courtesy of flickr user snre

Its 3:40 PM and its a dark and drizzly grey world outside. It’s not even 4 o’clock, but the sun has pretty much exited for the day. A few days ago, I felt as if I was practically swimming home, the rain pushing, pulling and soaking me from diagonal angles that only rubber hip waders paired with a whaler’s rain slicker would have withstood. These dark days of rain and wind I must admit, is one aspect I think I could do without.

But apparently, as weather fares in Scotland, Glasgow has been on the lucky side. This November record highs in rainfall have been met for several parts of Scotland, resulting in disastrous flooding throughout the region. And it would seem it’s not going to get better anytime soon. This blog entry in the guardian talks a bit about the rain and the histories of the rain, and points to climate change as the cause of the wetter weather patterns continually slipping further south.

And the dreary, persistent drizzle takes its mental toll too. As if getting out of bed wasn’t hard enough, residents in the UK and Ireland (and anywhere at a high latitude for that matter) have high percentages of Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. So for any of y’all planning to come this way, make sure to bring your favorite hip waders along.

Art Leading Commerce

The UK is often touted to be the country with the most closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) running, with more chances of being caught on video then places like San Fran, Johannesburg and even NYC. Folks here get their picture taken up to 300 times a day. As we all know, a visit to any major newspaper’s website or youtube, and you’re inundated with CCTV recordings of the latest jaw dropping incidents of crime, mishaps, and ridiculousness. The media exploitation of the recordings here is in keeping with what all of us fear. But now some folks here in the UK have figured out a way to make money off our culture of surveillance and voyeurism. Its called Internet Eyes.

Take a look at their site and I think you’ll be terrified. The premise is simple enough – there are millions of internet viewers at any given moment looking at millions of webcams and video footage. There are simultaneously millions of private CCTVs operating, with only a fraction of them being monitored at any given time. So why not link them up? That’s exactly what internet eyes has done, but just in a very enterprising way… they make money from both ends. If you own a CCTV camera, you pay a subscription to have folks like you and me ‘moniter’ your cam. If you are a viewer, you pay to send alerts of antisocial behavior to the cameras owner. They do provide you with 3 free alerts, but if you register, they will ask you for your paypal account information…. all under the pretense of winning a prize.

But what I can’t figure out is why isn’t this making more of a stir in the media? The guardian did write an article on it (see here), and a few of the civil liberties orgs have spoken about it, but outside of that, no one seems to have heard about it here. The idea of my image being captured on a CCTV cam here in Glasgow, and monitored by someone, say in NYC is very creepy. They say that the cam the viewers monitor is selected randomly, and you never get the same one twice – but still, this seems rather noncompliant with the Data Protection laws.

The other thing that I discovered (by accident) was that Internet Eyes was not the first to develope such an idea. The artist, Heath Bunting, was ahead of them; by about ten years. Here’s an interview with him from 1997 where he talks in detail about his project. It is at least, in part, still operational, and online here at the organization he helped to found called irational . He set up the exact same process, only he hacked (I gather) into CCTV cams, and then had folks like you and me watch and in the comments box you could send a fax straight to the police headquarters. A really well done statement I think on having the public policing the public, albiet in an illegal way.

He’s now doing a really interesting project where he illegally crosses borders all throughout the world with no passport. The crossings are documented through photographs, writings, and even text message correspondences and posted to a website, which in effect also mirrors the border crossing ethos – you have to apply to gain access to it. The Tate provides a good synopsis of the ongoing project.

But back to the Internet Eyes project. I wonder if Bunting could file for a copyright infringement? He did the project as an artwork, and as I understand it, that makes him the author and sole copyright holder, no need to have filed any paperwork. Any lawyers out there up for a challenge? I guess it’s just one more example of art leading the way of commerce…. for better or worse.

for the Village People

This will not be news to Glaswegians, but sport is taken very seriously here from pubs to workout clubs. Glasgow City’s public sport clubs are simply incredible. Might seem crazy to blog about sports centers, but its an extent of a public service I’ve never encountered before. They have over 20 indoor club facilities throughout the city, and they aren’t your typical YMCA. It’s really nutz – world-class swimming pools with lap pools over 50 meters and water falls, slides and flumes, to badminton, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. Every type of exercise movement you can dream of they have a center you can do it in, and in style. But what’s craziest is the accessibility. You do have to pay, but the fees are very cheap, especially if you’re a student or senior citizen. To use this pool, I paid 1 quid, or about $1.50. To use the gym or any other facility, it would range between 1-5 quid. The quality of the facilities and the numbers of them mean that independent gyms have a real hard market. I’ve only seen 2 other boutique gyms, and they both seem to have just 1 location. The other neat thing about them for any non local is you can use them as a non-member. So for any travelers reading, if you’re concerned about all the beers you’ve been drinking at Babbity, you can go work them off, or just sit pool side to nurse a hangover.

Here’s a big thank you to the City Council of Glasgow. Good to see that all the money from council tax levied on things like TVs goes towards more liquid assets like water slides.

Devouring skiers…

This weekend I also went to Bellahouston Park on the south side of Glasgow. Its home to many a wonderful things, but first and foremost House for an Art Lover, which is the modern day creation of one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s designs that was not realized in Charlie Mac’s day. HAL completed the project in the mid nineties, and the result is a stunning multi purpose building, but more over, a foundation dedicated to mounting ambitious art projects throughout the park. My favorite was the glass house installation designed by Gross Max architects as part of HAL’s Speculative Architecture competition. Its based on the premis of a fictious plant collector who is interested in exotic plant life – ferns (apparently one of the most ancient) and carnivorous plants (just plane strange). But mostly I think I’m just attracted to shiney things – large amounts of glass encasing warm plant life – another interest of mine. The one weird thing about the glass house though is how its situated. Right across from it is this large hill in the park which is home to dry ski slopes. Yes that’s dry ski slopes – no snow, just some sort of weird material that allows you to “ski” down the mountain so to say. Parts of Bellahouston feel like a theme park – a pervasive feeling that does not escape the atmosphere around the artworks. In this particular case though, you can catch one perspective where the glass house fights back. See here how the snowless, fearless skiers soar to their death into the carnivorous pitcher plants of the glass house.

But glass house felt familiar too – it reminded me of the artwork Mark Dion did in the Seattle Art Museum – “Neukon Vivarium”. Dion removed a fallen hemlock tree from a watershed area in the Seattle region, and literally preserved the ecosystem that had begun to develop in and on it by building a huge glass house / green house around it.There’s interesting interview on the project here.

There seems to be such a trend these days for artists working with plants, plant life, ecosystems, hot houses, organics etc. I guess both the global food crisis and climate change make the issues absolutely imperative and at the forefront of all of our minds. We need more artists to address issues of sustainable practices concerning food and the environment in their work. Also of interest are some folks right here in Glasgow Justin Carter, and Olga Schulz . I could list projects for hours, but don’t want to go overboard here. Any other local artists or just interesting projects you can share?

 

No more Scottish plaid clad AppleBee’s please…

This morning, for the first time in a long time, I ate brunch out. In NYC, I used to brunch all the time. I think I was sort of a brunch addict. But arriving in Glasgow and faced with the poor dollar to pound exchange rate, I’ve been trying to hold back on spending on food. Brunch was the first to go. But I may be faced with new temptation again, because I’ve discovered Trans Europe Cafe.

This amazing spot is also close to home – just 3 blocks or so away. The food was spectacular, and the coffee even better. I got a very delicious chorizo, pesto & cheese panini for about 4 GBP. My partner got the best scrambled eggs he’d ever tasted and toast for 3 GBP. I hear they do dinner too now…. but for prices between 4 – 6 GBP for a sandwich, how could you go wrong? The girl and father sitting next to us were enjoying The Game of Life (remember that board game – the one with the wheel that makes the very specific ticking noise when you spin the wheel?) which is just one of many of the board games the cafe has floating around in the dining room. And the benches you sit on – true to the trans europe theme – seem to be authentic, decomissioned train seats.

But what was also great about this place was the feel. Its cozy, and nothing feels contrived. Being new to the town, in the past 2 months I’ve had too many unfortunate meals at generic places that, while not too heavy on the pocket book, leave you feeling like you just made a deal with the corporate devils of the world, and subsequently owe all independent restaurantiers a karmic debt. Glasgow’s chains are tricky devils too. Pubs owned by the same company often have different names. Take for example J D Wetherspoon or Social Animal establishments. They all have different names, so at street level, you might think you’ve found an authentic pub or unique bar/restaurant in a beautiful old classical building.  But then you’ll start to notice small things – like the uniformity of their adverts, or their menus that seem all to familiar. And then, gosh darn it, you’ve just sat down to a meal at AppleBee’s clad in Scottish plaid.

So, thank you Trans Europe Cafe for doing it right. I’ll definitely be coming back for seconds.

I’m a Babbity Bowster tourist and I don’t care…

Tonight I left home and headed for Byblos, hoping to find what I thought would be a diverse, young and fun crowd. I want to find a spot that I can enjoy dancing in that’s not overpriced or over sequined. But Byblos turned out to be not quite all that I’d hoped, though I think its worth another try. It was very empty at first (of course that was entirely to do with me and mine arriving 2 hours before we ought), but even so a very familiar scene. Smoke machines galore, lights, and deafening music. We’d chosen it because of the advertised hip/hop, rap, old school, and funk scene advertised. The first room was not what we had expected – ‘house’ music mashed up with pop chart hits. The DJ in room 2 was alright though. Best part of the night was drinks were just 3GBP and the crowd was friendly. But I left thinking the entire experience was rather bland, and longing for the crowds and energy we once experienced at places like the yard in brooklyn. But I wonder if maybe we just left too soon – maybe things heat up and really get going a little later. I’m still holding on that Byblos might be the spot…

When I left, I ran into Bob outside of Babbity Bowster. I was taking a photograph to go along with the bit I was thinking of posting on it. Bob is a Glaswegian, and a fairly, er, well lubricated one tonight, though manning the helm just fine as it were. But Bob told me and my companion all about where we ought and ought not drink. We ought not drink at Babbity – its for tourists apparently. We ought to drink at Strathduie and Black Bull. When we asked why, he said because they are aligned with the protestant clientele. He said there was also McChuill’s, but that “we don’t really like that place so much” as it turns out it is a catholic establishment. I was curious though: as someone who is green to Glasgow, how would one know what was catholic, and what protestant (assuming you care)? He said its all in the name – “Mc / Mac anything stay away from”.

The whole protestant / catholic division here is nuts to me. I don’t get it. Maybe I was just unaware of it in the states, but seems to me the rivalry goes under the blankets so to say. Its there sure, but you have to really be looking for it. Here, its in your face, and everyone elses.

But back to Babbity – The Babbity Bowster is a bar, restaurant, Inn, and beer garden all in one. In the short time I’ve been here, its become a favorite, and I am pretty certain my affection is not going to fade, regardless if it is more pricey then Black Bull or Strathduie. First off, its 1.5 blocks away from my home – a fact hard to forget. But everything I’ve experienced about it so far is just right. It has that comfortable feeling of a local pub, but without the dreariness, or religious segregation, that other establishments might carry. The crowd it pulls is not pretentious, and not formal. Its the kind of place that you can go and meet an all black badmitton team from Manchester and rub elbows with true Glaswegians at the same time. Interesting thing about the design of the place is its painted all white. I always have felt that my favorites are more dimly lit and a little more sultry, or darkened interiors. Babbity feels like its given the care your mom gives the living room, mixed with some very expertly chosen design elements. Food and drink is quality, though I guess as Bob points out it will cost you a little more then some other places. But where I think its a real find is for the accommodation.

For 45GBP (single) or 60 GBP (double) you can stay at the Babbity Bowster. I haven’t seen inside the rooms (yet), but those prices seem decent if the rooms upstairs have just half the character and spirit of downstairs. I think you can rent out the top dining room too for special events too. It doesn’t seem to have an official website, but you can call 0141-552-5055 for bookings. So Bob, I’m sorry – while I’ve enjoyed a pint or two at Black Bull and Strathduie, I’m still a Babbity Bowster tourist and I don’t care.

This is Glasgow… greenly.

I’ve been living in Glasgow for 2 months now, fresh off the modern day boat with wings in the sky from Brooklyn, New York. Even though its just been a few weeks, already I’ve been receiving requests from all the various guests I’m going to be host to come this spring. I love to host, and I love to plan folks’ itineraries. I love those hard to create circumstances in which folks feel comfortable, excited, at ease, and interested; circumstances which allow for the most memorable stories to take shape. But living in a city where I still count as a tourist, and am far from being labeled a local, I’ve got some research to do.

This is Glasgow as a Southern girl turned Brooklynite-New-Yorker-art-rainbow-chaser sees it. This is life in Glasgow for the very first time. This is Glasgow … greenly.