3 inspirational works of art
3 communities
3 visions of a better world
This major initiative was launched at the Scottish Parliament in February 2008, as a follow-up to the original project in 2003-4. It aims to find ways to make works in the National Galleries of Scotland's collection more directly relevant to communities living in contemporary Edinburgh.
Three visionary works of art were chosen -
• Marcel Broodthaers’ surreal sculpture La Tour Visuelle, 1966
• George Seurat’s post-impressionist landscape La Luzerne, Saint-Denis, 1885
• James Edgar’s portrait of preacher and philanthropist Rev. Thomas Guthrie, 1862
Inspired by these challenging works of art, Parallel Lives 2 offered its participants the opportunity to express their views on contemporary life. Groups of participants from Leith, North and West Edinburgh worked with artists to produce creative responses that give shape and form to their views on current social issues.
The overarching exhibition in the IT Gallery at the Weston Link, documents the investigations into these inspirational artworks. Various artefacts researched and created as part of this fascinating process are displayed alongside a documentary film of the project directed by Lou MacLoughlan of Beanland Films.
The three works of art made by participants are on display now, next to the originals they were inspired by;
• Group 1 in the Vulcan Room at the Dean Gallery
• Group 2 in Room A6 in the National Gallery of Scotland
• Group 3 on the Balcony at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Parallel Lives 2 is a partnership project with Edinburgh’s Capital City Partnership, Edinburgh Neighbourhood Partnerships, WHALE Arts Agency, Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust and North Edinburgh Arts Centre.
The exhibition will go on to tour the partner venues in 2009;
Out of the Blue 29 January-23 February 2009
WHALE 26 Februrary-27 March 2009
North Edinburgh Arts Centre 2 April-5 May 2009.
