Visual Art
mamas; East
‘OUR AIM IS TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC AND NURTURE THE PROFESSION'
Peak practice
The work of Gareth Hoskins Architects is celebrated in the first of a series exploring architectural practices at the Lighthouse, as David Pollock discovers
‘ he Light/muse :llY'lIlIt’Cllll?’ Series is a new five-year series celebrating a range of
Scottish architectural practices. which have delivered nationally. and now deserve recognition in the international market.‘ says Leonie Bell. programme director at (ilasgow's Lighthouse. '(iareth lloskins will he the first of these. simply because we feel he runs one of the most ambitious practices in Scotland.'
As lloskins’ practice is celebrating its tenth anniversary. this show documents a rapidly-developing firm which has existed only a little longer than its association with the Lighthouse. Born in 1968 in lidinburgh and educated at the Mackintosh School of Architecture. lloskins was an associate at London architects l’enoyre and l’rasad during the 90s. before returning to (ilasgow in 1998. One year later. while (ilasgow was I'K (‘ity of Architecture and Design. lloskins designed the Mackintosh Interpretation (‘entre for the newly-built Lighthouse.
llaving started out with a three-strong workforce the firm now employs 35 people. and has participated in some of Scotland and the L'K's most ambitious projects. "l‘heir most recent project is the (‘ulloden Visitor (‘entre for the National 'l‘rust.’ says Bell. "l‘hey‘re also working on the National .‘V’luseum of Scotlanth IS-year masterplan to redevelop the building and its surroundings. and on a key new development in St Andrest Square. Within the context of lidinburgh. to be working on two significant projects really is ama/ing fora young practice.‘
The practice also designed ‘A (iathering Space‘. the Scottiin contribution to the I lth Venice Architecture
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Biennale. which opens this month. As the (anonymous) competition that secured this commission was organised through the Lighthouse. Bell describes it as ‘serendipitous‘ that GHA should be unveiling the new design as this exhibition opens. ‘It‘s an enormous wooden staircase for the piazza outside the train station (Sta/lone Santa Lucia). which creates a whole new public space for people to interact with.‘ says Bell.
In addition to a new monograph published exclusively as part of this series. the exhibition will feature plans. models. photography and a series of four films by (iavin Turnbull. each of which highlights an individual work. The show is also split into five distinct sections. designed to illustrate the expanse of the practice's experience. These elaborate on GHA’s work on
medium-sized projects within and on the outskirts of
cities. in rural areas. within established structures and on larger urban scales. describing a close-run competition entry for the Glasgow Transport Museum. completed work on Glasgow‘s Bridge Arts Centre and a competition-winning redesign of the Architecture Galleries at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. ‘()ur aim is to engage the public with architecture and to nurture the profession.‘ says Bell. who will oversee the show‘s transfer to London in early 2009. ‘At the end of the five years we hope to have a series of books which will accurater reflect contemporary architecture in Scotland. but will last as a resource for much longer.‘
The Lighthouse Architecture Series: Gareth Hoskins Architects, the Lighthouse, Glasgow, Fri 12 Sep—Sun 2 Nov.
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LIST
THE BEST EXHIBITIONS
# Arches Live! The annual festival of experimental art and theatre returns to Glasgow, this time under the auspices of new Arches artistic director Jackie Wylie. See feature. page 18. The Arches, Glasgow, Thu 7 8—Sun 28 Sep.
=I= Susan Collis This playful installation, inspired by the building site from which the new lngleby Gallery emerged, is the first solo show from the young Scottish artist. See caption, page 96. lngleby Gallery, Edinburgh, until Wed 24 Sep.
ii: Kate Davis: Outsider New Zealand-born artist Davis explores the relationship between viewer and artwork. Sorcha Dal/as, Glasgow, until Sat 27 Sep.
=l: Steven Campbell: Wretched Stars, Inflatable Heaven This powerful, affecting exhibition of works over two galleries suggests that the late Campbell's star is still on the rise. See review, page 95. Glasgow Print Studio, until Sun 28 Sep; Glasgow School of Art, until Sat 11 Oct.
* Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller Cardiff and Miller‘s exhibition completely immerses the viewer in a series of perfectly-realised works. which include sound sculptures, architectural installations and projections. Fruitmarket, Edinburgh, until Sun 28 Sep.
=l= The Lighthouse Architecture Series: Gareth Hoskins Architects The first in a series of exhibitions focusing on architectural practices. See preview, left. The Lighthouse, Glasgow, Fri 72 Sep—Sun 2 Nov.
* Sister Corita: Power Up A small but engaging exhibition of work by the pioneering 60$ political pop artist, who also happened to be a Roman Catholic nun. See preview, page 95. BOA Print Gallery, Dundee, Wed 77 Sap—Tue 4 Nov.