Glasgow (f)Art Scene

Last art experiences I had was travelling to Glasgow to inspect the artistic delights that is Glasgow art scene. This included admiring the tattoo pieces that can be described as "Glaswegian doodle". It is hard to get away from seeing this body art as most fat sweaty men walk around without their tops on -in a similar manner to the nudest beaches of our neighbours in mainland Europe.

Must sees include the pre-drinks bar Glasgow Courtyard which sells the local's drink "hobos tipple" including 3 shots of Buckfast, 1 shot irn bru and 1 shot of Bells Whiskey. It was nice place until someone farted in the corner of club : the smell resonating to the beat of the bass. This made everyone move towards the courtyard area where projections were put onto the inner walls. Later walking to the west end I met some of my hipster friends ( one with a large forehead) who took me to the glue factory (22 Farnell Street). The beats were pumping without the flatulent effects.

Other places to check out Sauchiehall Street , Centre for contemporay arts and ARTeries gallery.

Late night art: September Review

It all started last Thursday when I saw the Lord 'big head' Mayor himself outside the old Northern Bank on Donegal Street dancing with a carnival character. It lead me to the Cultural Night launch. As any good artist/revolutionary would do I decided to crash the party and grab as many free cocktail sausages as my stubby hands could take. I ended up staying for the entire event getting a great free lunch. I was looking out for Terri Hooley to see if he was going to take over the event with a coup. But no luck there. Lord "Big head" Mayor mumbled something about art and community, when everone knows that the only exhibition he has ever seen is in Stormont and the only community he knows is the one in Botanic Inns.

Later on that day the Late night art was on - I was disappointed to say the least. The only decent shows were Platform arts, Belfast Exposed and the Print Workshop. What was going on at Catalyst I am still not sure. No one was even checking out the art work, everyone was just hanging out at the balcony looking alternative. I left early with a disappointing night in all. I think everyone was saving the good stuff for the Culture night on the 24th of September (a Friday). Definitely worth checking out.

Late Night Art: Review

Last Thursday was late night art. The crew got together -first stop was the Naughton gallery checking out the work by CETL(NI): The Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in the Creative and Performing Arts at Queen's. It was dead when we got there. It was around 6.30 when we arrived. There were some visuals using light and long camera exposures.

Met up with some more mates at 7.00 at the Ormeau Baths Gallery:again it was completely dead. Couldn't believe it we were the only people there.:Where were you? It was the work by T.P Flanagan-the ground floor is a must see if you like water colour drawings of bowls. The exhibition is on till 17th of July.

The final art stop was SpaceCraft gallery were the redbull flowed. The ceramics were looking good as always. The small 30+ individual hand made bowls were one of my favorites. T. P Flanagan would be loving it. I couldn't stay longer at the culture night as I was playing basketball against another crew.

After leaving the comfort blanket of artyness, I was nearly beaten up. He was a hard lad (see above for reconstruction) with a sports bag and it was all because I was showing off my basketball skills outside Castlecourt. The confrontation goes as follows "Stop bouncing the ball" I replied "Say please" long drawn out silence "You better move" reply "ok" as I left the area feeling kojaked.

That's the last time I try to look "street" with hard lads about. I saw him the other day wearing a jazzy shirt- he looked as tough as Julian Simmons.

Tried to get into the platform gallery to see the SPOOM collectives work today. It wasn't open -does anyone know if and when it opens during the week??!

Looking forward to transbelfast's/Qft's Weeft next week, Out of Place gallery and the girl at the Ps2 gallery is looking for a job this week. I hope I will see you people about at the next cultural experience.

Late Night Art: review

Last Thursday was the late night art in Belfast. It was set be a good night, meeting up with friends to get to as many galleries as possible. First stop was the Naughton Gallery where I had a quick walk round Gary Shaws's work. The paintings are like magic eye pictures. Trippy. Then headed for the Omeau Baths Gallery where I waited for about 5mins until someone told me they weren't open that night. Bad times!

Luck seemed to change when we went round to SpaceCraft on Fountain Street. It was packed to the door and showed some great work from some 2nd year fine and applied students. There was a textile piece with some religious themes such as 'Babes of the Bible'. It was Funny. Saw some friends then headed to the next destination the Ps2 gallery. Was there for about 20mins drawing a plant-it was judged by a 10 year old kid and passed so I got to keep the plant I just drew. Nice present for some unlucky person. Me and mates were walking with 3 plants between us heading towards the Golden thread gallery getting weird looks by passers by. We arrived way too late and got only the last few crisps. The video installation by MacWilliam exploring the Life of a pencil (Bottom Image) and John Erickson photo montages Jema.us are a must see. We all went home with are heads filled with art and are hands each holding a potted plant. With one of the flowers getting eaten on the way home. You know who you are! I hid my plant in a brown paper bag when I entered the house as not to get a slagging from my flat mates.

It was a fun, see you at the next late night art. I should have some more calling cards next time.

Late Night Art Tonight

Late night art tonight in Belfast! Haven't been in a few months so it should be good fun. Looking forward to the PS2's 'plant drawings' I have seen the guy constructing the work this week and its good to see its finally finished. Golden Thread Gallery has an exhibition called 'Venice @ the Golden Thread' with some video and photography. Catalyst has a retrospective which will be interesting. If its anything like the last opening with the Police being called -will be an interesting finale. Hope you all have fun tonight. I hope to get a few of the highlights put up on the blog over the weekend. See you there!

Image from PS2