27 August 2015
M.C. Escher: A Mathematician’s Eye View
12.45-1.30pm
Free, no booking required.
M.C. Escher, Day and Night, 1938, All M.C. Escher works copyright © The M.C. Escher Company B.V. -B
One of the key influences on Maurits Escher’s remarkable art was mathematics, especially geometry. Initially his style evolved from an intuitive understanding of shapes and spatial relationships, leading to many of the themes that run through his art: tiling patterns, impossible tricks of perspective, even visual jokes. When contemplating visual representations of infinity, he discovered curious patterns created inside a circle, becoming ever smaller as they approached the centre. The mathematician H.S.M. (‘Donald’) Coxeter recognised that the underlying structure was a type of non-Euclidean geometry known as the Poincaré disc. This led to regular contact between the two men, and Escher began using explicit mathematical ideas to explore artistic possibilities. Ian Stewart, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, University of Warwick, in simple non-technical terms and with many illustrations, the relationship between Escher’s art and mathematics, and explore applications of these mathematical concepts to the real world. No specialist mathematical knowledge is needed - just an interest in visual patterns!
27 August 2015
Spotlight Tours of Scottish Art: People, Places, Ideas
11am & 3pm
Free with £2 suggested donation.
Samuel John Peploe, Still Life with Melon and Grapes
A guided tour of The City Art Centre's Scottish Art collection, focusing on people, places and ideas.
Please meet at reception. No advanced booking required.
The Telfer Gallery hosted by the Scottish Book Trust presents a roundtable discussion with Abigale Neate Wilson. The event will reflect how the urban environment is mapped through language, and how this language is mutating as a result of contemporary techno-culture.
WIlson’s research for her year-long residency at The Telfer Gallery (Glasgow) explores the conflict between utopian and dystopian visions of the city, often focusing on aspects of decay or ruin. With a particular emphasis on the science fiction novel, Wilson considers how these visions are articulated through language and how the built environment is a product of the mind, as much as an external phenomenon.
Wilson is particularly interested to reflect on the emergence of new forms of language in response to shifts in the way in which we navigate the urban landscape - as a result of smart technology and digital mapping, people are less likely to drift through the city (a la Baudelaire’s flaneur), participating instead in purposeful transit. Is technology now the kaleidoscope of the built environment? Perhaps, as JG Ballard suggested, in the modern society of mass merchandising, advertising and entertainment, “it is now less and less necessary for the writer to invent the fictional content of his novel - the writer’s task is to invent the reality”.
The panel will feature Ken MacLeod, leading Scottish science fiction writer, Johnny Rodger, writer and Professor of Urban Literature at the Mackintosh School of Architecture and Dr Sarah Lappin, senior lecturer in the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering at the Queens University Belfast and co-director of collaborative project Recomposing the City.
Supported by The Telfer Gallery and Scottish Book Trust.
13 – 27 August 2015
David Sherry: Avoiding Answer
Thu 13, How do small fish survive in the big sea, 1—3pm
Thu 20, Journey unknown, 1—3pm
Thu 27, Baggage Performance, 1—3pm
Image courtesy of the artist, 2015
During the festival, artist David Sherry will draw attention to the events of everyday life through juxtaposing subtle interventions alongside absurd observations. From exploring the role of humour through street interventions, to manifesting the concept of personal ‘baggage’ into a physical reality, this playful work reflects on the social interactions and awkwardnesses that are an inherent,
if painful, part of being human.
Sherry will be presenting a number of live performances in St. Andrews Square, city centre. His performances ‘look at the role of an artist as a global citizen, processing this concept in a set of serious and ridiculous ways. Juxtaposing commonplace tasks with primitive ideals. Searching for ones primitive self while languishing in a world of virtual distractions.’
With support from Patricia Fleming Projects, Glasgow and Mother’s tankstation, Dublin.
30 July – 30 August 2015
Explorers
Designed for children and families, Explorers is a special trail through the art festival, with activities focussed on key exhibitions and commissions from the festival programme. Download an activity pack here.
Participating galleries and exhibitions for 2015 include:
Dovecot Gallery: Kwang Young Chun, Aggregations
Mon–Sun, 10.30am–6.30pm
Ingleby Gallery: Charles Avery, The People and Things of Onomatopoeia
Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm. Sun, 12pm-5pm (August only)
Old Royal High School: Kemang Wa Lehulere, Join the dots
Mon—Sun, 10am—6pm
Activity pack available to download soon.
Summer School
Take part in our free to attend Edinburgh Art Festival Explorers Summer School that involves a guided visit to the artwork and a practical art activity class.
Training for facilitators, teachers & support workers
Work with artists in Edinburgh Art Festival venues to explore how to engage your groups with the free galleries, commissions and events on offer.
Thu 30 July
Upper Primary P5–P7:
Tue 11 & Wed 12 August
Lower Primary P1–P4:
Thu 13 & Fri 14 August
All workshops are free to attend but booking is essential. For information and booking, please contact Kate MacKay: [email protected]
30 July – 30 August 2015
Free Daily Guided Tours
Sat-Thu, 2pm
Free
During the festival, each afternoon at 2pm there are free guided tours of venues, leaving from the festival Kiosk on Blair Street (no booking required).
With different routes to choose from , these are a great way to find your way through the city and explore the festival.
1 – 30 August 2015
Art Late has finished for this festival, we look forward to seeing you next year.
1 – 30 August 2015
Film Screenings have finished for this festival, we look forward to seeing you next year.
1 – 30 August 2015
Festival Detours have finished for this festival, we look forward to seeing you next year.
1 – 30 August 2015
Artist Talks have finished for this festival, we look forward to seeing you next year.
1 – 30 August 2015
Explorers has finished for this festival, we look forward to seeing you next year.
1 – 30 August 2015
Special Events have finished for this festival, we look forward to seeing you next year.
1 – 30 August 2015