sorry if this has ciruclated already but worth reminding some ambiteers who may not live in Glasgow.
Malcolm Subject: [emerged] Important information about the Tramway From: Lucy Gibson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sun, October 5, 2003 10:23 pm To: emerged <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear artists, We felt that it was important to draw an issue to your attention that you may be unaware of if you live outside of Glasgow/Scotland. The Tramway (www.tramway.org), in the south side of Glasgow has been an arts venue for the last 13 years and is an amazing and versatile space; if you have visited you will understand how the scale of this exhibition space is unusual and highly valued and is unique in its flexibility to be used across disciplines. It has recently been revealed that the Scottish Ballet are putting in a lottery bid to take the Tramway 2 space (the main visual arts exhibition space) and turn it into a rehearsal room. The Tramway underwent capital development with an SAC Capital Lottery grant in 1999 and has continued to be a valued space with its new lease of life. It has been host to many high profile exhibitions from both internationally acclaimed artists and local artists and the balance of the two is vital to the arts community in Scotland. On top of this, the current use of the space has allowed it to retain its original features, such as the listed tram lines and industrial elements. Conversion to a ballet rehearsal area will surely have to compromise this and will make the space inaccessible to the general public. We have pasted below the initial information that was sent out on the Scottish list serves. We need to get support for the campaign from far and wide and would appreciate any assistance to put forward that this would be a colossal loss to the visual arts and the general public. You can join in the discussion and keep track of developments by joining the special list serve created for discussion on the issue. To join email : [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://www.topica.com/lists/tramway . Thanks for taking the time to read this and please do contact us if you would like any further information on the issue. E m e r g e D team Dear All, Sorry if you have already received this news but its importance necessitates as many relevant people being informed as possible. In the last two weeks, Glasgow City Council has announced to its staff at Tramway that, pending the outcome of a capital lottery application to the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Ballet will relocate its entire operation into the Tramway and Tramway 2, the unique large scale exhibition space, will close in order to provide Scottish Ballet with a rehearsal studio/workshop space. Needless to say there is a high level of concern being expressed not only from the Visual Arts community but also from performance companies who have used the exhibition space for large scale performance works. We need to gather together as many people nationally and internationally as we can who will, when the moment comes, write to Glasgow City Council, Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Ballet and the Scottish and UK press. I would be grateful if you could identify and/or contact people to let them know of this development and let the following people know who they are: toby webster [EMAIL PROTECTED] Francis McKee [EMAIL PROTECTED] and myself [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have attached a briefing document and chronology of Tramway exhibitions since 1990 to give you an idea of what would be lost. Many thanks Seona Reid Tramway 2 Briefing paper Proposal Glasgow City Council is proposing that Tramway 2, the unique large scale exhibition space on the ground floor, is given to Scottish Ballet on a permanent basis as a rehearsal studio. Scottish Ballet will move its entire operation into Tramway and a capital lottery application is being submitted to the Scottish Arts Council for an October deadline to support the conversion of disused Tramway stables into office and other accommodation for the Company. The current performance activity in Tramway 1 and the workshop activity in the stables will continue unchanged. Only the visual arts space is proposed for this fundamental change of purpose. The Tramway staff were informed of this last week. There has been no consultation about this and the proposal is at odds with Glasgow City Council1s own visual arts strategy published in January 2001 which was the subject of consultation. That document identifies the future of Tramway as part of a 3citywide contemporary art strategy for emerging, mid-career and established artists2 That document goes on to describe Tramway in the following terms: 3The unique scale and architecture of Tramway allows for exhibitions of work which could not be shown in, or created specifically for, any other venue in Scotland and the UK2 Tramway, although suffering recently from a lack of financial commitment from Glasgow City Council, remains one of the most important visual arts spaces in the UK and recognised to be so by major artists and curators across the world. It is the biggest visual arts space outside London and one of few in the UK where artists can make international careers. To close it would fundamentally diminish the City as an international centre for the visual arts and at a time when Glasgow's visual arts community is acknowledged to be so dynamic and successful. Glasgow is acknowledged to be one of the most important cities in Europe for the production of art and Tramway is an essential and irreplaceable element within that visual arts ecology. Scottish Ballet is OEScottish Opera/ Scottish Ballet1 - legally one company with one board. The Chief Executive is Christopher Barron and the Ballet Director is Ashley Page. Ashley Page has been appointed to regenerate the ballet company after a period of decline in artistic standards and has re-shaped the Company over the last year during which time the company has not performed. It makes its debut performance at Tramway 1 on October 2, 2003. Arguments Against What is Proposed Summary: ... Glasgow (and Scotland) has an international reputation of the highest order for contemporary visual arts. ... Tramway 2 is a key part of the visual arts ecology- does not only exhibit but also commissions. ... It is the only space in Scotland where both locally based and international artists can work on a monumental scale. ... It has launched careers of major Scottish based artists now working internationally and has brought international artists to Scottish audiences ... It attracts international curators to work in Glasgow ... It attracts major press and media coverage which enhances Glasgow1s reputation as a cultural and creative city. ... Since Tramway's re-launch in June 2000, the venue has presented 13 major exhibitions presenting the work of over 100 artists of international standing. These exhibitions have often shown work by artists who have not exhibited previously in the UK and, in many cases, have presented new work which was specifically produced for exhibition at Tramway. ... Tramway is unique and irreplaceable. A dance rehearsal space just needs to be large, warm and with a sprung wooden floor - it could be anywhere. Highlights of the programme at Tramway between 1990 and 1999 when Tramway underwent capital development with an SAC Capital Lottery grant: Andy Goldsworthy Snowballs in Summer David Mach Here to Stay Bruce McLean Vertical Balcony Temperamenti Contemporary Art from Northern Italy New North New Art from the North of Britain Tony Cragg Solo show Read My Lips New York Aids Polemic Douglas Gordon 24 Hour Psycho Alfredo Jaar (un)framed Christian Boltanski Lost Property Christine Borland From Life Julian Opie Imagine you are Walking Trust International show including Marina Abramovitch and Ulay, Maria Eichorn, Willy Doherty, Stan Douglas etc Stephanie Smith and Edward Stewart Solo Show Alan Sekula Fish Story Jason Bowman Untitled (The Diary of Anne Frank) Yoshiko Kamikura Interior/After Shooting Marina Abramovitch Performances 1976-1988 Highlights of the international programme at Tramway since re- launch in 2000: The group exhibition Mirror's Edge - Tramway was the only UK venue for the Show and the only venue in Scotland that was able to house a wide range of work (including large scale sculptural work, installations and projections) by 27 leading international artists. The show was curated by Okwui Enwezor: an international curator responsible for Documenta in 2002 (major art event in Kassel every 2 years). This exhibition brought new work, some produced at Tramway specifically for the space, by leading international artists such as Thomas Hirschhorn, Steve McQueen and Thomas Demand. Exhibition with Pierre Huyghe and Philippe Parreno: these French artists had not shown in the UK outside London until this 2000 exhibition. A new work was produced. Both artists are amongst the most critically acclaimed artists of their generation: in 2001, for example, Huyghe represented France at the Venice Biennale Only Scottish showing of 336 Pek - amazing video work by Portuguese artist Joao Penalva - again, represented Portugal at 2001 Biennale - shows worldwide. The solo exhibition of Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist in 2001 included a commission for new work for Tramway 2. This was the artist1s first solo exhibition in the UK for several years. 3When I first approached her gallery in Zurich I was told that she receives on average up to 50 invitations for shows worldwide a week - she agreed to do this exhibition as she knew of Tramway's reputation and wanted to work in the space.2 Alexia Holt Greyscale/CMYK: group show profiling work of artists from the Nordic countries - 40 artists showing in Tramway 2 within an architecture designed specifically for the space by international architectural company Cave, by the Finnish artist Salla Tykka in 2002/2003. Tramway commissioned The third and final film in a trilogy of works, the first of which was internationally praised following exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 2001 Tramway's 'international pulling power' extends beyond the artists. It has been able to attract leading international curators to produce shows for Tramway - Enwezor, Andrew Renton and Ami Barak - Ami Barak is organising a major show with 30 international artists for April 2004; he currently works as the man responsible for contemporary art projects in Paris. He agreed to do this show as, for him, Tramway is a 'mythical space' . When such individuals visit Tramway they also make contacts here, see the work produced by Glasgow artists etc. Tramway plays a vital role in terms of international exchange Highlights of work by Scottish artists at Tramway 2- launching international careers: The programme has also focused on the presentation of work by emerging, young Scottish artists which is shown in an international context. By positioning such work in an international context, the profile of these artists is raised, dialogue with artists from other cultures and backgrounds is facilitated and the international quality of work by local artists is highlighted. Since June 2000,over 50 Scottish artists have shown at Tramway. Many artists were offered commissions to produce new work. Both the Project Room Gallery and Tramway 2 are used for these shows. The importance of many of these commissions to the future careers of the artists cannot be underestimated : it is widely acknowledged that 24 Hour Psycho consolidated Douglas Gordon's practice to date and presented his work on an ambitious platform - it was his first solo show and a launch pad for a future international career. Christine Borland, Jackie Donachie, Roddy Buchanan all had their first solo shows here. In this vein, recent Exhibitions in Tramway 2 such as HK, by Joanne Tatham and Tom O'Sullivan, and a solo Show with Martin Boyce, have served a similar function. HK led to a solo show at Cubitt Gallery in London and participation in Zenomap at this year's Venice Biennale; Martin's exhibition at Tramway is about to be shown at the Lyon Biennale. Tramway is currently the only venue in Glasgow that has consistently offered commissions for the production of new work to artists as a key element of its artistic policy. Partnership with Glasgow School of Art, is also unmatched: it stages the MFA Degree Show; offers commissions to recent graduates of both BA and MFA courses; works with the School of Fine Art on the development and realisation of the GFT Friday Morning lectures; provides studio and residency space to post-graduate students. Tramway is the only venue in Glasgow to offer residencies to artists (over the summer months): this year, 4 artists - one from new York - were given 3 months in Stable 3. Performing space Tramway 2 was conceived as a flexible, public space and is used not only for visual arts but also for large-scale performances which could not be housed within Tramway 1. These have included over the years the following companies: Brithgof Cone Gatherers/Test Department La Fura dels Baus Fierce/Motionhouse Boilerhouse Stewart Laing Grace Surman Positive Profile Arguments may be presented about the role of T2 not being realised and about its low attendance figures. The international quality of the visual arts programme speaks for itself, but the standing which Tramway has in the eyes of the UK and international press and media is also a major ingredient in promoting Glasgow as a creative city: The visual arts programme has maintained a high level of exposure in key national, UK national and international press. Salla Tykka's show was given a double page spread in the Guardian tabloid this year (notoriously difficult to get the reviewer out of London). Tramway exhibitions are covered in all the major art periodicals and have received consistently excellent reviews. In a recent article in the Herald, on the arrival of the Fruitmarket's new Director, it was noted that although the Fruitmarket was perceived traditionally by some to be a 'jewel in the crown' of Scotland's visual arts venues, it was in fact, Tramway and DCA that fulfilled this role in terms of international work and quality of exhibitions. Given the significant difference in the levels of funding and staffing between DCA and Tramway, it is remarkable that this status has been maintained. The current budget for visual arts programming is only �88,000 and reflects a sad lack of commitment from the Glasgow City Council to Tramway as a leading edge performance and visual arts centre. Attendance figures at Tramway 2 are not comparable with other large city centre galleries but Tramway 2 suffers from a lack of investment in marketing and programme. Nevertheless attendance figures are rising steadily. Importantly, in 2002/2003 attendance figures to the visual arts programme exceeded those for the performance programme by 2600 (8,476 and 11,125 respectively ) which will continue to operate at Tramway. Partnerships and Funding: The visual arts programme brings a significant level of additional funding to Tramway and international and national partnerships have been made since 2000 with organisations such as The Henry Moore Foundation; The Embassy of Switzerland; Pro Helvetia (Arts Council of Switzerland) The Hope Scott Trust; Embassy of Israel; Goethe Institute; Danish Contemporary Arts Foundation; Nordic Institute for Contemporary Arts; Alliance Francaise; AAFA (French Arts Council); Embassy of Sweden; Italian Cultural Institute and so on. All of these organisations have directly funded exhibitions at Tramway. Many of their representatives have visited the city because of this link. The programme is therefore endorsed by key international bodies and Glasgow's profile is further strengthened internationally as a city for contemporary art. Public space - private space The plan is to turn a public space into a private space used for rehearsals. T2 was the shed for Glasgow1s trams and still retains that industrial feel. Specifically, it still has the tramlines which are listed, as is Tramway as a whole. Ballet rehearsal spaces need to be warm, clean and have space for dance/jumps- but the volume of T2 is (one assumes) a bit more than is necessary and would probably need to be divided. The pillars could not be removed. To accommodate dance, however, the tramlines would have to be covered up and sprung floor installed. Thus a piece of Glasgow1s heritage is removed from public access. Scottish Ballet has been looking for new accommodation for some time - starting with a proposal to develop the site at Eddington St (Dundas Vale) beside the Scottish Opera storage and workshop space some years ago. This apparently proved to be too expensive an option. Apparently, there is enough space in the undeveloped areas within Tramway for Scottish Ballet to have office, technical and studio space (for class). The use of T2 is to provide them with a rehearsal space for full scale work, a facility they have not had in the past. Why Tramway? Scottish Ballet may need to move from its dilapidated building in West Princes St but to squeeze out another (internationally renowned) artform and replace it with rehearsal space is impossible to justify Ashley Page is charged with rescuing Scottish Ballet . He has ambition for Scottish Ballet which must be applauded but as yet it is completely untried and tested. The visual arts in Glasgow, on the other hand, are - here and now - internationally recognised and Tramway is seen by curators, press, artists and museum directors across the world as a unique and indispensable showcase. There is only one Tramway 2. It is unique amongst contemporary art spaces in Scotland. In contrast, it must be possible to find office, technical and rehearsal space for Scottish Ballet elsewhere which does not demand the closure of T2. ------------------------------------------------- a m b i t : networking media arts in scotland post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] archive: http://www.mediascot.org/ambit info: send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and write "info ambit" in the message body -------------------------------------------------
