.jpg)
GSA graduate Franki Finch
of Finch and
Fouracre with her 1:20 scale
model of the Mackintosh Library.
of Finch and
Fouracre with her 1:20 scale
model of the Mackintosh Library.
The Glasgow School of
Art unveiled an exquisite scale model of the Mackintosh Library. Commissioned from specialist architectural and exhibition model makers, Finch & Fouracre, the
exact 1:20 replica was created by GSA product design graduate, Franki Finch, and will be a
focus for part of the GSA’s popular Mackintosh tours.
Art unveiled an exquisite scale model of the Mackintosh Library. Commissioned from specialist architectural and exhibition model makers, Finch & Fouracre, the
exact 1:20 replica was created by GSA product design graduate, Franki Finch, and will be a
focus for part of the GSA’s popular Mackintosh tours.
“There is a huge
interest in Mackintosh and his masterpiece, the Glasgow School of Art,”
explains Juliet Fellows-Smith Tour Interpretation and Programme Manager.
“Unfortunately it is not possible to visit the building currently, but with
this beautiful model we will be able to illustrate Mackintosh’s creative genius
as demonstrated in the design of the library during our daily guided tours.”
interest in Mackintosh and his masterpiece, the Glasgow School of Art,”
explains Juliet Fellows-Smith Tour Interpretation and Programme Manager.
“Unfortunately it is not possible to visit the building currently, but with
this beautiful model we will be able to illustrate Mackintosh’s creative genius
as demonstrated in the design of the library during our daily guided tours.”
Measuring around 60cm x 60cm
x 45cm the model took over three months to create as although a number of
different production techniques were used, including laser cutting and acid
etching, most of the work was done by hand. A particularly time-consuming aspect of the process
was making the tiny specks of colour which decorated the chamfered balustrades
on the Mackintosh Library balcony. No one knows for certain if the colours
chosen had any particular significance for Mackintosh, but one popular theory
is that the colours (white, red, green and blue) represent the four elements of
water, earth, fire and air. Meanwhile, each of the decorative panels that hung
down from the balcony and were decorated with a different pattern of circles
and lines, are rendered in the model by thin layers of acid-etched brass
spray-painted to look like wood.
x 45cm the model took over three months to create as although a number of
different production techniques were used, including laser cutting and acid
etching, most of the work was done by hand. A particularly time-consuming aspect of the process
was making the tiny specks of colour which decorated the chamfered balustrades
on the Mackintosh Library balcony. No one knows for certain if the colours
chosen had any particular significance for Mackintosh, but one popular theory
is that the colours (white, red, green and blue) represent the four elements of
water, earth, fire and air. Meanwhile, each of the decorative panels that hung
down from the balcony and were decorated with a different pattern of circles
and lines, are rendered in the model by thin layers of acid-etched brass
spray-painted to look like wood.
To ensure the greatest
accuracy Franki referenced hundreds of photographs of the library and crucially
had access to a unique resource. “I was
fortunate to be able to reference a very special set of drawings,” she
explains. “Whilst he was at the Mackintosh School of Architecture at the GSA Paul
Clarke, who is now based at the University of Ulster, created a comprehensive
set of drawings of the Mackintosh Building which include accurate measurements
for every single room. I was able
to use his detailed documentation of the library as a key part of my research.”
accuracy Franki referenced hundreds of photographs of the library and crucially
had access to a unique resource. “I was
fortunate to be able to reference a very special set of drawings,” she
explains. “Whilst he was at the Mackintosh School of Architecture at the GSA Paul
Clarke, who is now based at the University of Ulster, created a comprehensive
set of drawings of the Mackintosh Building which include accurate measurements
for every single room. I was able
to use his detailed documentation of the library as a key part of my research.”
Sited on a 3ft high plinth,
the model is located by the reflection pool in the Reid Building directly
opposite the main entrance to the Mackintosh Building. Visitors will be able to
see it from today as part of the popular Mackintosh at the GSA tours which are led by the GSA’s
award-winning team of guides most of whom are students or graduates of the
institution. The tours run from the Window on Mackintosh Visitor Centre in Reid
Building 7 days a week all year round.
the model is located by the reflection pool in the Reid Building directly
opposite the main entrance to the Mackintosh Building. Visitors will be able to
see it from today as part of the popular Mackintosh at the GSA tours which are led by the GSA’s
award-winning team of guides most of whom are students or graduates of the
institution. The tours run from the Window on Mackintosh Visitor Centre in Reid
Building 7 days a week all year round.
Ends
Further information:
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
press@gsa.ac.uk
Notes For Editors
- The Mackintosh Model is the latest
addition to the Mackintosh Tour following the opening in the Reid Building
earlier this year of a recreated Furniture Gallery, which showcases key pieces
from the GSA’s Mackintosh collection. - Finch and Fouracre also produce
‘build-your-own’ architecture model kits which are bestsellers in the GSA Shop
(http://www.gsashop.co.uk/collections/franki-finch-finch-fouracre). - Paul Clarke is part of the PagePark led
design team for the Mackintosh Building restoration