Statement from Muriel Gray
After a sobering tour and inspection of the
interior of the Mackintosh along with Professor Tom Inns with two expert colleagues
today we have a much clearer idea of what the situation is.
interior of the Mackintosh along with Professor Tom Inns with two expert colleagues
today we have a much clearer idea of what the situation is.
Bad news first is that we have lost the iconic and
unique Mackintosh library. This is an enormous blow and we are understandably devastated.
unique Mackintosh library. This is an enormous blow and we are understandably devastated.
But the most amazing, almost miraculous news is that
the majority of the building is still intact. Due to one of the most
astonishingly intelligent and professional pieces of strategy by the fire
services, they succeeded in protecting the vast majority of the building,
apparently by forming a human wall of fire-fighters up the west end of the main
staircase and containing the fire.
the majority of the building is still intact. Due to one of the most
astonishingly intelligent and professional pieces of strategy by the fire
services, they succeeded in protecting the vast majority of the building,
apparently by forming a human wall of fire-fighters up the west end of the main
staircase and containing the fire.
Also after ensuring no lives were in peril they displayed
an impressive understanding of the precious nature of the building, and due to
their careful and meticulous handling of each developing situation the damage
is considerably less than we dreaded. We have run out of words with which to
thank them, but the school has most certainly gained a new gallery of heroes.
an impressive understanding of the precious nature of the building, and due to
their careful and meticulous handling of each developing situation the damage
is considerably less than we dreaded. We have run out of words with which to
thank them, but the school has most certainly gained a new gallery of heroes.
Tragically many students have lost some or all of
their work, but many others have had theirs preserved, and curators and
academic staff can expect to be allowed to enter the building in the next few
days to try and assess what can be salvaged.
their work, but many others have had theirs preserved, and curators and
academic staff can expect to be allowed to enter the building in the next few
days to try and assess what can be salvaged.
The joy that our archives are safe combines with
the delight in seeing most of our beloved building bruised and battered but
most certainly not destroyed.
the delight in seeing most of our beloved building bruised and battered but
most certainly not destroyed.
As for the library, Mackintosh was not famous for
working in precious materials. It was his vision that was precious and we are
confident that we can recreate what was lost as faithfully as possible.
working in precious materials. It was his vision that was precious and we are
confident that we can recreate what was lost as faithfully as possible.
Our main concern right now is the welfare of the
students and the impending graduation and everyone is working hard together to
achieve the best outcome for all.
students and the impending graduation and everyone is working hard together to
achieve the best outcome for all.
I don’t think I have ever been prouder of being
part of institution over these last two days. It’s not just been the amazing
team work, professionalism and support that everyone involved with GSA have
demonstrated, but the warmth of support and help from the wider public and all
our friends across the world has astonished us. We‘d like to thank everyone
from the depths of our hearts.
part of institution over these last two days. It’s not just been the amazing
team work, professionalism and support that everyone involved with GSA have
demonstrated, but the warmth of support and help from the wider public and all
our friends across the world has astonished us. We‘d like to thank everyone
from the depths of our hearts.