Special Glasgow School of Art commission
sees Michael Stumpf making an installation of new exterior and interior works.
sees Michael Stumpf making an installation of new exterior and interior works.
Press View: From 10am,
Wednesday 2 April 2014
Wednesday 2 April 2014
Private View: 6-8pm, Thursday 3 April
This Song Belongs to Those who Sing It, a
special new commission for the 2014 Glasgow International Festival of Visual
Art (GI), sees GSA alumnus Michael
Stumpf making an installation of new exterior and interior works at The
Glasgow School of Art.
special new commission for the 2014 Glasgow International Festival of Visual
Art (GI), sees GSA alumnus Michael
Stumpf making an installation of new exterior and interior works at The
Glasgow School of Art.
|
| Michael Stumpf, Massive Angry Sculpture (2011) |
wide range of materials and processes to explore the nature of making and the
existential experience of things. Questions of time, gravity and attitude are
raised to examine object as language, and language as object. His work
manifests itself in poetic sculptural propositions set in relation to one
another to create carefully structured installations. For this new commission Stumpf
has made an ambitious new body of work that considers the context of the art
school as an ‘expanded field’. Creating
a sequence of points where the audience encounter it, the exhibition begins on
Renfrew Street on the facade of the Reid and Mackintosh Buildings, and
culminates in the Mackintosh Museum.
This Song Belongs to Those who Sing It is an exhibition that addresses relationships
– Looking at You, Looking at Me.
It makes use of the context of the art school as way of drawing out
relationships – both robust and precarious – between object and spectator,
teacher and student, new and old, absurd and practical, to ask questions about
imagination, autonomy and exercising artistic agency. The exhibition’s title positively asserts the
creative act of making (and making together), while also raising questions of
authorship and creative points of origin.
As in many of Stumpf’s previous works a ‘song’ brings together disparate
elements to propose something new.
– Looking at You, Looking at Me.
It makes use of the context of the art school as way of drawing out
relationships – both robust and precarious – between object and spectator,
teacher and student, new and old, absurd and practical, to ask questions about
imagination, autonomy and exercising artistic agency. The exhibition’s title positively asserts the
creative act of making (and making together), while also raising questions of
authorship and creative points of origin.
As in many of Stumpf’s previous works a ‘song’ brings together disparate
elements to propose something new.
The reference to singing extends out of the
Mackintosh Museum in the “Balconies Commission” which sees Stumpf
locate a new temporary sculpture on each of the balconies of the GSA’s new Reid
Building and the Mackintosh Building. This marks the first creative response to
and interaction with the exteriors of the two buildings since the Reid Building
was completed. The colours of the two sculptures are significant. Stumpf sees
them as a poetic timeline, hinting dusk and dawn, running between the two
buildings and throughout the exhibition.
Mackintosh Museum in the “Balconies Commission” which sees Stumpf
locate a new temporary sculpture on each of the balconies of the GSA’s new Reid
Building and the Mackintosh Building. This marks the first creative response to
and interaction with the exteriors of the two buildings since the Reid Building
was completed. The colours of the two sculptures are significant. Stumpf sees
them as a poetic timeline, hinting dusk and dawn, running between the two
buildings and throughout the exhibition.
For
the Reid Building, Stumpf has created a 4m high text-sculpture made up from the
words NOW and SING which will be located on the south east corner of the
building (at the junction of Renfrew Street and Dalhousie Street). It acts as a rallying cry to a community of
creative practitioners, and asserts the power of doing. For
the Director’s balcony, above the main entrance to the celebrated Mackintosh
Building, he has created a chain-like object that will sit over the railings.
the Reid Building, Stumpf has created a 4m high text-sculpture made up from the
words NOW and SING which will be located on the south east corner of the
building (at the junction of Renfrew Street and Dalhousie Street). It acts as a rallying cry to a community of
creative practitioners, and asserts the power of doing. For
the Director’s balcony, above the main entrance to the celebrated Mackintosh
Building, he has created a chain-like object that will sit over the railings.
|
| Michael Stumpf: The Sound of Silver (2010) |
“The ‘Balconies commission’ and
Michael’s response captures and plays with a key moment for the art school,” says
GSA Exhibitions Director, Jenny Brownrigg who has commissioned the new work
from Stumpf for GI. “His pieces frame the
two buildings, early in their relationship, in a new conversation with each
other.”
Michael’s response captures and plays with a key moment for the art school,” says
GSA Exhibitions Director, Jenny Brownrigg who has commissioned the new work
from Stumpf for GI. “His pieces frame the
two buildings, early in their relationship, in a new conversation with each
other.”
“By expanding the exhibition space from the Mackintosh Museum into the
street and on to the façades of the Mackintosh and Reid buildings, viewers will
be able encounter the works at different points,” she
adds.
street and on to the façades of the Mackintosh and Reid buildings, viewers will
be able encounter the works at different points,” she
adds.
Works made for the Mackintosh Museum exploit the
gallery’s iconic features, either as supports for hanging sculptures – made
from paper, denim and acrylic resin – or as display mechanisms for objects made
from clay and cast in pewter. These
semi-precious and everyday materials form part of a wider ‘material alphabet’
that Stumpf employs to draw attention to the nature of things – be they hand
made or mass produced.
gallery’s iconic features, either as supports for hanging sculptures – made
from paper, denim and acrylic resin – or as display mechanisms for objects made
from clay and cast in pewter. These
semi-precious and everyday materials form part of a wider ‘material alphabet’
that Stumpf employs to draw attention to the nature of things – be they hand
made or mass produced.
Stumpf will give an
artist’s talk in the Mackintosh Museum on the evening of 10 April and the
following week, April 17th, will see a tap dancer will take over the Mackintosh Museum in a
performance that converses with the objects in Michael Stumpf’s exhibition.
artist’s talk in the Mackintosh Museum on the evening of 10 April and the
following week, April 17th, will see a tap dancer will take over the Mackintosh Museum in a
performance that converses with the objects in Michael Stumpf’s exhibition.
This Song Belongs to Those who Sing It is
part of Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art’s Supported Programme.
Also on show at the GSA during GI will be Caesura,
the inaugural exhibition in the Reid Gallery featuring commissions from four
GSA graduates that respond to the Mackintosh and Reid Buildings.
part of Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art’s Supported Programme.
Also on show at the GSA during GI will be Caesura,
the inaugural exhibition in the Reid Gallery featuring commissions from four
GSA graduates that respond to the Mackintosh and Reid Buildings.
Supported
by Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art, The Glasgow School of Art and
by Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art, The Glasgow School of Art and
Platform.
Ends
For further information, images and interviews contact:
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
press@gsa.ac.uk
Listings
4 April – 4 May 2014
Monday – Saturday,
11am – 5pm;
11am – 5pm;
Sunday 11am – 4pm
(Thursdays 3, 10, 17 April open until 8pm)
(Thursdays 3, 10, 17 April open until 8pm)
Mackintosh Museum, The Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street,
Glasgow G3 6RQ
Glasgow G3 6RQ
This Song Belongs to Those who Sing It
A special commission of new work from GSA alumnus
Michael Stumpf sees the artist create an installation of exterior and interior
works at The Glasgow School of Art.
Michael Stumpf sees the artist create an installation of exterior and interior
works at The Glasgow School of Art.
Entry: Free
Further information: www.gsa.ac.uk/exhibitions
10 April 2014 at 6pm
Artist Talk
Mackintosh Museum, The Glasgow School of Art
Michael Stumpf talks about his Glasgow International
project ‘This Song Belongs to Those who Sing It’. This ambitious body of new
work includes the ‘Balconies Commission’, which creates temporary landmarks on
the exterior of the new Reid Building and Mackintosh Building.
project ‘This Song Belongs to Those who Sing It’. This ambitious body of new
work includes the ‘Balconies Commission’, which creates temporary landmarks on
the exterior of the new Reid Building and Mackintosh Building.
Free
17 April 2014 at 6pm
The Sound of Silver
Mackintosh Museum, The Glasgow School of Art
A tap dancer will take over the Mackintosh Museum with
a performance that converses with the objects in Michael Stumpf’s exhibition: This
Song Belongs to Those who Sing It.
a performance that converses with the objects in Michael Stumpf’s exhibition: This
Song Belongs to Those who Sing It.
Free
Notes for Editors
About Glasgow International
Glasgow
International is a world-renowned biennial festival of contemporary art.
Animating the city from 4th – 21st April 2014, Glasgow International showcases
the best of local and international art for wide-ranging audiences. It returns
for its sixth edition, under the guidance of new Director, Sarah McCrory. The
festival will continue to showcase Glasgow as a unique major centre for the
production and display of contemporary visual art. Taking place in various
venues and locations across the city, including Glasgow’s major art spaces and
cultural institutions, the Festival will be comprised of an ambitious programme
which includes exhibitions, events, talks, performances and projects by
international and Glasgow-based artists.
International is a world-renowned biennial festival of contemporary art.
Animating the city from 4th – 21st April 2014, Glasgow International showcases
the best of local and international art for wide-ranging audiences. It returns
for its sixth edition, under the guidance of new Director, Sarah McCrory. The
festival will continue to showcase Glasgow as a unique major centre for the
production and display of contemporary visual art. Taking place in various
venues and locations across the city, including Glasgow’s major art spaces and
cultural institutions, the Festival will be comprised of an ambitious programme
which includes exhibitions, events, talks, performances and projects by
international and Glasgow-based artists.
The Reid Building
The Reid Building is
the new £28m development on the GSA’s Garnethill campus. Replacing the Newbery
Tower and Foulis Building, which were no longer fit for purpose, it was
designed by Steven Holl Architects of New York with Glasgow-based JM
Architects. The Reid Building houses a broad range of studios and teaching
facilities for the School of Design, as well as workshops, lecture facilities
and auditorium, communal student areas, administration and directorate offices,
exhibition spaces, and the GSA’s new visitor centre: Window on Mackintosh. A
key feature of the building, which is Phase 1 of the GSA’s Garnethill Campus
development, is a signature artwork by 2011 Turner Prize winner, Martin Boyce. A Thousand Future Skies takes the form
of a 4.3m x 8.9m hanging screen of painted steel and glass geometric vines
installed over the main entrance to the building. The Reid Building, which is
named after former GSA Director, Dame Seona Reid, has been funded by a grant
from the Scottish Funding Council.
the new £28m development on the GSA’s Garnethill campus. Replacing the Newbery
Tower and Foulis Building, which were no longer fit for purpose, it was
designed by Steven Holl Architects of New York with Glasgow-based JM
Architects. The Reid Building houses a broad range of studios and teaching
facilities for the School of Design, as well as workshops, lecture facilities
and auditorium, communal student areas, administration and directorate offices,
exhibition spaces, and the GSA’s new visitor centre: Window on Mackintosh. A
key feature of the building, which is Phase 1 of the GSA’s Garnethill Campus
development, is a signature artwork by 2011 Turner Prize winner, Martin Boyce. A Thousand Future Skies takes the form
of a 4.3m x 8.9m hanging screen of painted steel and glass geometric vines
installed over the main entrance to the building. The Reid Building, which is
named after former GSA Director, Dame Seona Reid, has been funded by a grant
from the Scottish Funding Council.
Michael Stumpf
Michael Stumpf’s
sculptural practice uses a wide range of materials and processes to explore the
nature of making, and the existential experience of things. Questions of time, gravity and attitude are
raised to examine object as language, and language as object. His work
manifests itself in poetic sculptural propositions set in relation to one
another to create carefully structured installations.
sculptural practice uses a wide range of materials and processes to explore the
nature of making, and the existential experience of things. Questions of time, gravity and attitude are
raised to examine object as language, and language as object. His work
manifests itself in poetic sculptural propositions set in relation to one
another to create carefully structured installations.
Recent exhibitions
include: The Red Room, a commission of screen printed sweatshirts for the
Kunstverein, Hamburg (GER); a co-curated exhibition project Who Decides? (with Skafte Kuhn and Ciara Phillips) at the
Stadtgalerie, Mannheim (GER); the commission of Massive Angry Sculpture for the
exhibition In other words curated by Matt Packer, exploring text in
contemporary art, at the Lewis Glucksmann Gallery, Cork (IRL); and a major
exhibition of newly commissioned and existing work as part of New Alchemy an
exhibition curated by Melanie Bono that examined material properties in
Contemporary Art after Beuys at
Landesmuseum, Munster (GER).
include: The Red Room, a commission of screen printed sweatshirts for the
Kunstverein, Hamburg (GER); a co-curated exhibition project Who Decides? (with Skafte Kuhn and Ciara Phillips) at the
Stadtgalerie, Mannheim (GER); the commission of Massive Angry Sculpture for the
exhibition In other words curated by Matt Packer, exploring text in
contemporary art, at the Lewis Glucksmann Gallery, Cork (IRL); and a major
exhibition of newly commissioned and existing work as part of New Alchemy an
exhibition curated by Melanie Bono that examined material properties in
Contemporary Art after Beuys at
Landesmuseum, Munster (GER).
Michael Stumpf has
been the recipient of grants and awards from: DAAD (German Academic Exchange
Service); the County of Baden Wuerttemberg; the Scottish Arts Council; Creative
Scotland and Glasgow City Council.
been the recipient of grants and awards from: DAAD (German Academic Exchange
Service); the County of Baden Wuerttemberg; the Scottish Arts Council; Creative
Scotland and Glasgow City Council.
He has recently been
artist-in-residence at the Studio Program at CCA Andratx, Mallorca and at the
Cultural Centre Alte Feuerwache, Mannheim.
In 2007 he undertook a summer residency at the Scottish Sculpture
Workshop, Lumsden, which subsequently led to the commission of two large-scale
public artworks for Leith Hall Gardens. He has also been on residency at Cove
Park in Argyle and Bute and in 2009 he was the Glenfiddich artist-in-residence
at the Banff Centre, Alberta, Canada.
artist-in-residence at the Studio Program at CCA Andratx, Mallorca and at the
Cultural Centre Alte Feuerwache, Mannheim.
In 2007 he undertook a summer residency at the Scottish Sculpture
Workshop, Lumsden, which subsequently led to the commission of two large-scale
public artworks for Leith Hall Gardens. He has also been on residency at Cove
Park in Argyle and Bute and in 2009 he was the Glenfiddich artist-in-residence
at the Banff Centre, Alberta, Canada.