13 August 2013

Andrew Graham-Dixon: Castration on a tennis court: The life and art of Michelangelo Merisi, alias Caravaggio

11:30am–12:30pm

£8 (£6 concessions). Book tickets.

Castration on a tennis court, and other stories: The life and art of Michelangelo Merisi, alias Caravaggio:
Tuesday 13th to Saturday 17th August – 11:30 to 12:30
Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th August – 10:10 to 11:10

Who killed Caravaggio?
Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th August – 15:05 to 15:50

Art historian, critic and BBC Arts Presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon animates the tragic life of probably the darkest and most dangerous of any of the great painters, Caravaggio. 

In “Castration on a tennis court: The life and art of Michelangelo Merisi, alias Caravaggio’', Andrew retells the scandalous, sensational life of Italian painter, Caravaggio. And for those who just can’t get enough, for two days only, on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th August, Andrew will explore the mysterious death of the criminal and artistic genius in his second show, “Who killed Caravaggio?”.

Cursed by his genius, Caravaggio with a notorious hellraiser with a long list of thuggish assaults attached to his name. In this historical-swashbuckler-cum-detective story its all pimps, priests, prostitutes and painting as his desperate, mysterious life is retold.

13 August 2013

Man Ray the Magic Man

12:45–13:45pm

Free admission, booking essential. 

Lee Miller was one of Man Ray’s artistic collaborators and together in Paris in the heyday of Surrealism, they discovered the technique of solarisation which became the hallmark of their artistic association. In their youth, they were lovers and this evolved into an enduring friendship in later life. Antony Penrose, son of Roland Penrose and Lee Miller, shares his unique perspective of growing up surrounded by his parents' Surrealist friends. He adored Man Ray who in turn encouraged Antony to make his own objects and puns. As the Director of the Lee Miller Archives and the Penrose Collection, he has been working on the conservation and dissemination of his parents work for over 30 years. 

This event will take place in the Hawthornden Lecture Theatre.

Tickets can be bought and collected in advance from the Information Desk near the Gardens Entrance of the Scottish National Gallery, or call 0131 624 6560.

13 August 2013

Parley: Peter Liversidge and Brigadier David Allfrey MBE

1–2pm

Free admission. Book tickets.

For this year’s Edinburgh Art Festival, the artist Peter Liversidge has invited anyone in the city with a flagpole to fly a white flag which bears the text: HELLO, offering residents and visitors a collective and universal greeting during the capital’s busiest month.

In this Parley event, the artist discusses the role and meaning of flags and emblems with Brigadier David Allfrey MBE, producer of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, former commander of 51 Scottish Brigade in Stirling and member of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

This event takes place within a major architectural artwork by Krijn de Koning in Edinburgh College of Art’s iconic Sculpture Court. 

13 August 2013

Parley: Robert Montgomery in conversation with Ryan Van Winkle

6–7pm

Free admission. Book tickets.

Robert Montgomery is a London-based, Scottish artist who works in post-situationist tradition. His practice is based on capturing audience’s attention through intervening in urban spaces, and therefore questioning the language and voice of private commercial interests on public streets.

Commissioned by Edinburgh Art Festival, Montgomery’s new sculptural poem, created in oak and situated on The Mound, will be burnt on the opening day of the festival. This is an opportunity to hear the artist talk about his work for the festival and about his wider practice. 

Ryan Van Winkle is a poet, performer, podcaster and Edinburgh City Libraries' Reader in Residence. His first collection, 'Tomorrow, We Will Live Here', was published by Salt in 2010. He was awarded a Robert Louis Stevenson fellowship in 2012. He is the co-host of  the poetry podcast for the Scottish Poetry Library.

This event takes place within a major architectural artwork by Krijn de Koning in Edinburgh College of Art’s iconic Sculpture Court. 

2 – 18 August 2013

Staycation! (Ages 4-12)

2–4:30pm

Free admission

Take off on a magical journey of the imagination this summer. Inspired by the beautiful landscapes featured in our summer exhibitions (Peter Doig and Frederic Edwin Church), create and explore your own fantasy holiday destination, all without stepping foot on a plane!

This event will take place in the Clore Education Centre at the gallery. 

1 August – 1 September 2013

EAF Explorers

Designed for children and families, EAF Explorers is a special activity trail through the art festival. Pick up your free EAF Explorers passport and map from participating galleries and learn about some of the art on show by completing a series of fun, creative activities. Complete each activity and get your passport stamped at each gallery, then show us your stamped passport at Sarah Kenchington's Windpipes for Edinburgh at Trinity Apse to receive a special prize. 

EAF Explorers participating galleries: 

City Art Centre: Mon–Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 12–5pm

Dovecot Studios: Mon–Sun, 10.30am–6pm

The Fruitmarket Gallery: Mon–Sun, 10am–7pm (from 27 Aug: Mon–Sat, 11am–6pm; Sun, 12–5pm)

Windpipes for Edinburgh, Trinity Apse: Mon–Sun, 10am–6pm

The EAF Explorers passport and map and entry to the exhibitions related to the activities are free.

EAF Explorers has been developed by Alchemy Arts.

2 August – 1 September 2013

EAF Guided tours

1–1.45pm

Free to join

We'll be running a series of free guided tours throughout the festival - join us for a great way to sample a variety of different works on show and discover new artists. Tours will focus on different aspects of the exhibitions and on different parts of the city. 

Tours will depart from 169 Rose Street.

This is the site of Kenny Watson's The Days & Fascia  and an installation of the first UK showing of Kalleinen and Kalleinen’s The Complaints Choir, a four channel video installation documenting the nine Complaints Choirs created and led by the artists themselves.

1 August – 1 September 2013

Tourists in Residence 2013: The Self-Guided Tour

The Selected Monuments of Edinburgh map can be downloaded.

This year's Tourists in Residence, artists Tom Nolan and Catherine Payton, have created Selected Monuments of Edinburgh, an Edinburgh map, from the unique perspective of artists based in the city. This is a self-directed tour so that you can make your way around the city of Edinburgh in your own time. 

This year's Tourists in Residence have also created the following guided tours: The Debtor's Day Off (11 August & 1 September), A dissociative walk and A symposium (with free tea and coffee).