Walking Group visit the Modern Institute and South Block
Our walking group always enjoys visiting exhibitions in the Modern Institute galleries. The galleries themselves are such beautiful spaces and the exhibitions always inspire conversation.
On this occasion we went to visit the Osborne Street gallery first to see the exhibition ‘Spiral Yellow‘ by American artist and musician Lisa Alvarado. We were welcomed by staff member Shae, who gave us a short introduction to the works before arranging to meet us at the other gallery in Aird’s Lane. It was such a lovely day we took the scenic route, looking in Saltmarket shop windows along the way, before turning along the Clydeside. Having a wheelchair user in the group we always try to be aware of the best routes to take and with so many roadworks in the area at the moment this can prove to be quite tricky.
When we arrived at the Aird’s Lane gallery, Shae was there to meet us, along with Mae who we had met several times before on visits to the gallery. They both gave us introductions to the works by the two artists currently exhibiting there, Simon Starling and Urs Fischer. We first looked at ‘Houseboat for Ho’ by Simon Starling. The centrepiece of this exhibition is a beautifully crafted straw boat, a scale model of the larger boat made for the town of Ho in Denmark, in collaboration with Danish thatched roof makers and Bolivian reed boat builders. In the larger gallery is ‘Vignettes’ by Urs Fischer. This is a series of small bronze sculptures arranged on the gallery floor. These little pieces gave us lots to talk and wonder about as well as quite a few giggles.
We left with the intention of going back to Trongate 103 but instead noticed there was a new exhibition in South Block so popped in there instead. It’s an informative show featuring images of 31 types of sharks, many of which are endangered.
It was an interesting afternoon with lots of different styles of art and a lovely walk in good company in the Glasgow sunshine.
Words and photos by Celine.
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