GLASGOW.- Glasgow International, one of the UK's largest and most influential festivals for the visual arts launches its 6th edition tomorrow; the first of three festivals to be curated by new Director Sarah McCrory.
Featuring the work of over 150 artists from 24 countries, GI2014 takes over Glasgow's best loved art galleries and museums, including Kelvingrove Gallery and Museum, Tramway and the Gallery of Modern Art, presenting 50 exhibitions and 90 events across the city.
In order to complement the institutional shows and celebrate the Year of Homecoming, this year's programme transforms and regenerates unusual or rundown sites and opens up usually closed spaces to the public, including Govanhill Baths swimming pool, an underground car park, a shopping centre, and the McLellan Galleries - the oldest art space in the city.
More than 90% of the work is new or previously unseen in the UK with major new site-specific commissions covering a wide range of media and disciplines including installation, sculpture, performance, film, stand-up comedy, collage, ceramics, photography and painting.
A series of workshops, talks, performances, films, and tours designed for all ages have been planned throughout the festival. A new media partnership with BBC Arts will present three one-off events at BBC Scotland Pacific Quay and the launch of 'Art Screen'; a four day celebration of some of the finest arts documentaries from across the globe, taking place at the Glasgow Film Theatre and Centre for Contemporary Arts.
Glasgow International has a legacy of producing some of the most exciting new contemporary art commissions, recognising emerging talent and tracing the careers of artists over multiple editions. Using the backdrop of the city, the Festival aims to highlight artists whose practices engage in essential and critical contemporary art discourse.
This year's event will further showcase Glasgow as one of the world's most important centres for the production and display of contemporary visual art.
Sarah McCrory, Director, said: "I'm excited to welcome visitors to the sixth edition, and my first, Glasgow International festival. With this year's programme I aimed to build on the festival's reputation for showcasing the city's influential art scene, while also bringing a strong presentation of international, leading and emerging contemporary artists to Glasgow for the first time. As well as taking over some of Glasgow's well-loved galleries and museums, the festival opens up and transforms unusual spaces with new commissions, exhibitions and events. Designed to encourage a sense of exploration and discovery through contemporary art, the programme also celebrates the city itself."
