Royal Scottish Academy Show, Architects, Artists, Architecture Exhibition Review

RSA Exhibition, Edinburgh, Scotland : Royal Scottish Academy

Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition : Architecture Information

8 Nov 2012 RSA Architecture Exhibition RSA Architecture Open RSA ARCHITECTURE OPEN 2012 24 Nov - 16 Dec 2012 RSA Projects Room, The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL Open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12 – 5pm. Closed December 25th & 26th. Admission free. The RSA are very pleased to present the Architecture Open – the RSA’s first ever open submission exhibition exclusively for architecture. Inspired by last year's 3x3 - the first in a series of RSA exhibitions dedicated solely to Architecture - the RSA have recently received digitally-presented submissions of models, drawings and other 2D works for this exciting new exhibition to be held in the RSA Projects room. The RSA Academicians selected to convene the exhibition are Professor Alan Pert (of Nord Architecture) and Dick Cannon (of Elder & Cannon Architects). “We are delighted to be appointed as joint convenors for this inaugural Open Exhibition. Dedicated solely to Architecture it presents a unique opportunity to stimulate debate and showcase a broad mix of topical projects from a number of emerging practices alongside work from some of Scotland's best architects which reflect current Architectural practice in Scotland and further afield.” Dick Cannon RSA and Alan Pert RSA - joint convenors. RSA Architecture Exhibition - 3x3 3x3: 3 ARCHITECTS, 3 PROJECTS, 3 IDEAS 18 Jun - 24 Jul Finlay Room, RSA Art & Design; Architecture & Landscape Architecture The first in a series of RSA exhibitions focused on architecture, ’3x3’ looks at the work of the RSA’s most recently appointed academicians, the architects Neil Gillespie, Gareth Hoskins and Charlie Sutherland. The exhibition focuses on three projects from each architect that explore ideas underpinning the approach of the architects and their practices, Reiach and Hall Architects, Gareth Hoskins Architects and Sutherland Hussey Architects. Brief Review from the opening night by e-architect: Well it was warm. Too warm. Either the architects of the RSA restoration hadn't expected rooms full of architects or someone at the RSA had forgotten to flick the air-con switch to cool. Nevertheless, chilled white wine was flowing and the atmosphere was good. One speech was made, by a chap from the RSA who told us he was a sculptor and talked about his three year old grandchild's crumpled up sketch and about the relationship between model maker and builder (being different for a sculptor compared to an architect), which I thought was a long way to lead up to talking about the exhibition but then the speech was finished. I would have liked someone to say a little about why each practice had chosen certain buildings. Normally you would expect a speech about how great Scottish architecture is and so on, but I think most people realise this was an exhibition about the latest RSA academicians to be nominated and accepted, so in that sense the curating had no direction or polemic. But that is not a criticism, just like Michael Webb ('veteran architectural writer') pointed out in a recent issue of FRAME (#78) discussing last year's Venice Architecture Biennale it is valuable every now and then to see architects work verbatim ie shorn of overriding curatorial themes. The Finlay Room is quite small but the exhibition fits really well into it, simple small white framed images against a white wall with a few models scattered around the space in a balanced relationship. So there was unity of presentation between the three separate architects practices. Gareth Hoskins Architects have clearly had a very successful trajectory in recent years with some major buildings, such as the Culloden Visitor Centre, and also a visible media profile from their shortlisting for the Glasgow Transport Museum to the Venice Biennale pavilion and latterly the television programme on Donald Trump's proposals at Menie. The GHA presentation was mostly white and grey punctuated by areas of yellow and simply showed building proposals such as for The Mareel in Shetland. Reaich and Hall's presentation was mostly monotone - consisting of lyrical drawings, models and pithy texts. The drawings were arranged in a grid of portrait frames filling a whole wall (short side) of the room. One colour illustration for each of three projects articulated the grid, and there are some lovely, simple diagrams explaining plans and ideas. The sparse models are elegantly crafted, hewn from wood by the son of artist Alan Johnston, with whom Neil Gillespie has a long working relationship (eg the 'Sleeper' gallery below Reiach and Hall's studios). Sutherland Hussey Architects' presentation was a riposte to a critique in a UK architecture magazine's review of a recent RSA show being too parochial with small buildings...SHA wowed us with three major Chinese buildings, the key one of course being Chengdu Museum, a massive commission for what is quite a small practice and won from under the feet of I.M.Pei. This was the first time I'd seen these more detailed images of the building and with it having just started on site it is good to see the bold concept of initial CGI's has not been watered down as it often can be. I'm slightly biased here as I worked on some great projects at Xiling (Chinese ski resort) by SHA but to see a Scottish practice that has so little built here doing such massive projects on the other side of the world puts into the shade the highly publicised complaints about Zaha Hadid struggling to work in her adopted country. With Sutherland Hussey now on site with the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop (in Leith) one can only hope this practice gets to spread its wings in Scotland. So I hope you pay a visit to 3x3, it is on in the Finlay Room at the RSA (easiest entry from Princes Street) until the 24th of July. RSA Annual Exhibition Edinburgh - 2011 The 185th RSA Annual Exhibition Hidden Aspects of the Artist’s Work – Inspiration and Process The RSA Annual Exhibition is one of the longest-running and most prestigious exhibitions of contemporary art in Scotland and opens on Saturday 30 April at the Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture in Edinburgh. Presenting the country’s leading contemporary artists and architects, the exhibition features a wide variety of painting, sculpture, filmmaking, photography, installation and architecture across all thirteen RSA upper and lower galleries. Following a historical change to the RSA Annual Exhibition format in 2010, the exhibition now comprises of RSA Members, and a number of invited artists who feature in a curated element within the exhibition. The open submission policy of previous Annual exhibitions now has its own platform as the RSA Open exhibition later in the year. This year’s convenor is Victoria Crowe OBE RSA and Charlie Sutherland RSA (Elect) is deputy convenor. They will be overseeing art and architecture respectively. This year’s curated element Hidden Aspects of the Artist’s Work – Inspiration and Process features twenty invited artists selected by the convenor from the RSA membership and the broader Scottish arts community. They include internationally renowned Scottish artists such as ‘New Glasgow Boy’ Ken Currie, Beck’s Futures Award Winner Toby Paterson, the Queen’s Painter and Limner in Scotland Dame Elizabeth Blackadder RSA and, in an unusual twist to the exhibition programme, the highly respected contemporary composer Thea Musgrave HRSA will be presenting a piece titled “Turbulent Landscapes” inspired by the works of Turner. (For a full list of exhibitors, see below). The exhibition also showcases a number of last year’s RSA Award Winners, works from the RSA Permanent Collection and memorial works by Fred Bushe RSA and The Earl Haig RSA (please see lists below). The exhibition will be accompanied by a full colour publication and most works will be available for purchase. The RSA is part of the Own Art scheme, offering interest-free credit to buy contemporary art and craft. public to get involved and learn more about the art/artists in the show. This range of activities will be hosted There will also be gallery tours, artist talks, meet the artists evenings and associated events to encourage the by the Friends of the Royal Scottish Academy, who are celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year. For the second year running we are very pleased to announce the Friends of the RSA as this year’s exhibition sponsor. The 185th RSA Annual Exhibition 30 Apr - 8 Jun 2011 All RSA Galleries The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL Open Monday to Saturday 10am 5pm, Sunday 12noon - 5pm Admission £4/£2 concession RSA Annual Exhibition 2011 information from RSA RSA Exhibition Edinburgh - 2011 RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2011 EXHIBITION Showcasing sixty of the best emerging artists and architects in Scotland The third annual RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES exhibition will take place at the Royal Scottish Academy Galleries in Edinburgh from 19 March – 13 April 2010. Presenting around 60 of the finest artists and architects selected from the 2010 Art and Architecture Degree Shows; this finely curated exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see the best of Scotland’s emerging talent under one roof. The artists were chosen from the 2010 Scottish Degree shows by exhibition convenors Sandy Moffat RSA (art) and Gareth Hoskins RSA (architecture), with assistance from members of the Royal Scottish Academy and representatives from the five main colleges of art and six schools of architecture in Scotland. The chosen graduates are given the opportunity to launch their career at the prestigious RSA galleries by showcasing a selection of new work; including painting, sculpture, film making, photography, printmaking, architecture and installation. Most of the works will be for sale. This exhibitions offers a wonderful opportunity to invest it Scotland’s up and coming talent at the early stages of their careers and as the RSA is part of the Own Art scheme, buyers can spread the cost of an artwork over ten interest free monthly payments! RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES represents the RSA’s commitment to supporting and presenting the best contemporary work in Scotland. The RSA team works closely with the artists and architects towards developing a lasting relationship in the lead up to the exhibition and beyond. With over £11,000 worth of monetary prizes in addition to residency, studio and purchase prizes, the development of this exhibition is an important initiative for emerging artists in Scotland, enabling a ‘first exhibition’ opportunity for some 60+ emergent artists annually. The RSA are also delighted that The Skinny are continuing to support the New Contemporaries exhibition as Media Partner for the third year running. RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2010 19 Mar – 13 Apr 2011. All RSA Galleries The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL Open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12noon – 5pm. Admission £2/£1 concession RSA New Contemporaries information from RSA RSA Annual Exhibition Edinburgh - 2008 Review of 2008 RSA Exhibition by architect Adrian Welch 8 May As last year there the two octagonal basement rooms are purely for architecture. CLIFFORD ROOM: Highlight: What really stands out in this room – over the Gold Medal winner – is a ‘secret’ 30-storey hotel proposal, also by gm+ad architects, on the Clyde: 236 Broomielaw. Sorry, no images allowed on the website just yet. This is illustrated in a large colourful CGI of top quality, and backed up with Alan’s now-famous drawing of the north bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow – reduced to half the size of the original yet still as wide as the Bayeaux Tapestry. This Clydeside hotel towers over its already tallish neighbours and by that token is bound to provoke controversy. Influenced by early SOM I reckon, in particular Walter Netsch's Inland Steel Building in Chicago. Models: Thee models – of gm+ad architects’ Craigton Road project, Graeme Massie Architects’ Venice Pavilion entry and Page \ Park Architects’ Kirkintilloch Arts Centre. Framed work on walls: Bennetts Associates’ striking panel of nine frames illustrating the Matthew Hay Centre in Aberdeen, complete with stacked acrylic plans. Rising star Graeme Massie’s simple but striking Venice Biennale model plus his Vatnsmyri competition win. Two large frames of Castlemilk Stables by Elder & Cannon Two panoramic frames by WTARCHITECTURE Sheffield Park footbridge competition entry by a+j burridge, good to see more Scottish architects casting there eyes outwith Scotland McColl Architects’ Venice Biennale competition entry, shining a light for Aberdeen architecture! BANK OF SCOTLAND ROOM: Highlight: Richard Murphy Architects’ Jesus College proposals – this is a bold building which doesn’t follow any current fashions such as random fenestration or multi-coloured panels. Robinsonesque expressed rhythmic brickwork forms evoke cathedral buttresses, perhaps influenced by college buildings at Jesus or the Victorian church opposite. Refreshing to see something different. Model: Dunfermline Museum winning entry by Richard Murphy Architects, perfunctory white card model suggesting an influence from Benson + Forsyth’s Museum of Scotland building, underlined by the colour internal images – not just the random slots but relationships such as steps to parapets and walls. Framed work on walls: Two houses by cameronwebster Albany Street Lane house proposal + Todlaw housing by Oliver Chapman Architects Carron Den housing in Stonehaven by cadell2 make’s colourful ZED project and Dunfermline Museum entry (similar, and placed opposite to, Richard Murphy’s winning entry) Arcade’s The Causey Richard Murphy Architects’ massive black-framed panels of Jesus College and Dunfermline Museum. Also shown but in a smaller format - Conan Doyle Centre and proposed Strathtummel house draw architects’ Shanghai Expo 2010 shortlisted entry Estonian Academy of Arts competition submission and Edinburgh waterfront proposal by Allan Murray Architects Poole project by rankin fraser landscape architecture LLP with Donald Urqhuart – spacious, pleasant presentation Nicolson Square proposed revamp by landscape architects LAND Campbell & Arnott Architects’ New Teaching Block at the University of Dundee, crisp white buildings Summary Nothing outlandish here, or signs of a new style or new direction, but a general sense that architects based in Scotland are starting to look outwards a bit more. This is to be encouraged and projects such as the Venice Biennale pavilion help whet the appetite for foreign adventures. The fact that the Gold Medal winner is illustrated simply by a humble model and two handdrawn works should remind many of us, me included, to resist the world of CAD and CGI every now and then to scribble, sketch or draw. Royal Scottish Academy Show 2008 Exhibition Review by Adrian Welch RSA 182nd Annual Exhibition 2008 incl curated show ‘New Scots’ Dates: 10 May - 25 Jun 2008 Entry Cost: All RSA Galleries, Admission £4 / £2 Conc. image © Adrian Welch Royal Academy Exhibition 2007 Royal Academy Exhibition 2006 Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition: 2005 Review Cameron Mackintosh: House, West Coast Scotland Ushida Findlay Architecture - Kathryn Findlay This year sees some changes. Firstly it's only for Academicians. Secondly the architecture is interspersed with the art. Good or bad? The former aspect means there's much less material, less of the crowded Salon and more calm art gallery. It could be interpreted as being a bit elitist but it feels much more professional and enjoyable this year. Architecture being mixed up with the art means there should be more engagement from either camp, a more rounded experience as you flit through the galleries looking for architecture. This year there are simply models, drawings and photographs. I would have preferred an incisve analysis of (first showing) Kathryn Findlay's latest work or projects rather than the pot pourri approach, we've seen that stuff before (well anyone who reads architecture magazines). It was the equivalent of Terry Farrell's huge boards that Alan Dunlop criticised in 2004 (letter below). The model of the clifftop house shown above was a highlight, but nothing really set the heather on fire and I hear Deyan Sudjic's words ringing in my ears from the time of the RIAS Best Building of the Year Launch. FESTIVAL CONNECTIONS Royal Scottish Academy 179th RSA Annual Exhibition 13 Aug - 25 Sep 2005 Admission free, entrance via Princes St Mon to Sat 10 - 5, Sun 12 - 5pm image from the architect Also featured are Ric Russell's Calyx, Page & Park's Maggies Highlands and Richard Murphy Architects' Caernarfon Arts Centre and their latest Edinburgh Filmhouse model (above). Academicians not exhibiting include Malcolm Fraser. Royal Scottish Academy : Article image © Adrian Welch Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition: 2004 Review Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh - image © Adrian Welch Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition 2004 Enlarge Map

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The RSA Annual Show is also an opportunity for architects to display recent or proposed projects. Richard Murphy’s adventurous intervention in Stirling Tolbooth to create a new arts centre is illustrated here, along with other important architectural projects such as Allan Murray Architects’ sharp designs for a new Royal Theatre in Copenhagen.
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