● Piece marks the little known contribution of craftsmen interned in the camp to Charles Rennie Mackintosh legacy
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Image: Artist Tom Kransy with her sculpture Spy Fever which has been unveiled
on the site of the former Knockaloe internment camp.
The work was part of Kransny’s GSA MFA Degree Show exhibition in 2017
Image credit: Tom Krasny | photographer: Johnny Barrington
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A work created by artist Tom Krasny as part of her 2017 MFA Degree Show exhibition at The Glasgow School of Art has been unveiled on the historical site of Knockaloe internment camp near Patrick on the Isle of Man. The work was unveiled at the official launch of the new Centre for WWI Internment. Which opens to the public earlyMay2019.
A 1/1 scale bronze cast of a Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed dress table stool the work marks both the talent of the German civilian internees in the camp who made the original piece of furniture and the atmosphere that led to thousands of civilians being sent to the Isle of Man during WWI.
At the outbreak of WWI the British Government passed the Aliens Restrictions Act, whereby the British Government could control the movement of “enemy aliens”. General internment of all Germans of military age began in May 1915 following the sinking of the “Lusitania”. At its peak over 23,000 men were interned in the camp.
The piece on which Spy Fever is based is dress table stool that was part of the original 78 Derngate guest bedroom suite, which was made in the workshops at Knockaloe camp. The stool was acquired by The Hunterian Museum in 1975 along with the rest of the guest bedroom furniture from 78 Derngate.
Writing at the time of her MFA Degree Show Tom said:
“My work involves researching and reflecting on the psychological and social implications of life in a conflict zone on individuals and communities. Raising empathy towards the individuals affected, and showing another side of the story, perhaps a more compassionate one, is an important part of the work I create.”
I have been working with non-gallery sites and contexts, to actively change and broaden the way the story of craftsmen interned in Knockaloe WW1 camp is represented.”
Prior to its permanent installation on the Isle of Man, Spy Fever was exhibited at 78 Derngate from February-April 2018, alongside another work by Krasny, called Charles Matt’s Mallet.
Spy Fever was installed with the generous help and support of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA), the Isle of Man Arts Council, and the Knockaloe Foundation (knockaloe.im).
For further information on the and the new Centre for WWI Internment visit: https://www.knockaloe.im
2019 GSA MFA Degree Show will run in the Glue Factory from 31 May – 9 June 2019.
Ends
For further information on the MFA at the GSA contact:
Lesley Booth
07799414474
Note for Editors
Acquired in 1975 by The Hunterian Museum’ the original piece of Mackintosh design is currently displayed as part as the Mackintosh House exhibition.