What’s this? Girdy is at the helm of an art exhibition review when team Edinburgh Reviews has a bona fide artist, Bronwen Winter Phoenix, in the team. Why would we do that?
Bronwen has art on display at Awright Project’s New Year, New Me, New World Order exhibition at Edinburgh Palette so is unable to fairly review. So, with that skin-in-the-game disclaimer made, let me step up to the plate.
Opening night New Year, New Me, New World Order vibes!
I stepped into the gallery space and was immediately struck by the energy. I’ve been to all sorts of events, from zine fairs, craft shows, and other exhibits, at Edinburgh Palette, but I’ve never felt this energy before.
However, I was at the opening night event. The exhibition runs until the 18th of January, and I’ll be impressed if the opening night vibe persists.
On the 13th of January, there will be a free lino printing workshop in the space. Yes, free, but you do need tickets, and there are only a few left.
If you regret missing the opening night, printing night might be a second chance to do something extra special.
Furthermore, Civerinos provided pizza, and there were live performances by Faliraki and Lewis Cavinue. It all added to the uniqueness of the experience.
Unsettlingly, at least for a clutz like me, there is also a fragile paper trail of a sculpture (as long as broadband T&Cs) right by the door. I was worried I would step on it! There was a well-behaved labrador at the event, and I was more concerned about my big boots meeting the art than I was about the doggo slurping the paper.
New Year, New Me, New World Order! art impact
With over 50 artists participating, a dramatic mix of art is on display in St. Margaret’s House.
Some illustrations are paper pinned to the wall. There are framed and mounted pieces. Modern art moments include one of the artists, Lewis Cavinue, pulling a pile of books across the floor with a bright white length of thick rope. There’s sculpture, too.
One artist has giant cigarettes suspended from the ceiling, and another has pottery sculptures of crumpled soda cans. Even if different artists are involved, those two reminded me of Lindsey Mendick‘s Sh*tfaced.
The exhibition is the response to an open call, so it is not a surprise that there was no single theme wrapped around the artworks (aside from the loosely interpreted ‘New Year, New Me, New World Order‘), but I did see common themes.
I saw reflections on how technology and culture overlap; there’s a child’s safety chair surrounded by CCTV and an attention-holding screen welded where any child would be forced to look. Not far away from that cluster of lens and screens there’s a paper rendering of Google and someone searching to be a better person.
There was commentary on the state of the world as a whole, from apparent advancements in science to Disappearing, Bronwen’s protest over the deaths in Palestine (any profits from the sale of that will go to UNICEF’s emergency Gaza appeal) and wealth inequality.
Sex, too. There are some passionate kisses and, in one case, breasts bared by a raised t-shirt top. I’m sure any youngsters mature enough to come to an indie art exhibition will be mature enough for anything on display.
“What emotion does it make you feel?” was what a wise person once told me was a good question to reflect on for art. To be honest, much of what was on display gave me cause for sombre reflection. There’s a lot to do in this world to sort it out.
There was fun and humour, too, or whimsy. I especially liked the snail that, if you were patient enough to watch, would very occasionally take a lurching slide across the gallery floor. There is a lot to do in this world, but perhaps, like this snail, if we persist, we’ll get there, albeit at a frustratingly slow pace.
Things to do in Meadowbank
St Margaret’s House is on London Road, and old ex-civil service building itself and next to Registers of Scotland where all the deeds of land ownership in Scotland are kept. A few minutes the other direction there’s Meadowbank Sports Centre.
It’s a residential area, but the remains of the old St Margaret’s Railway Engine Turntable are nearby, with the Craigentinny Marbles in the other direction, both of which are nice Instagram moments in the summer.
Directly across the road from Edinburgh Palette in St Margaret’s House (which has a big ‘ART’ sign on the wall), there are a few coffee shop options, and if you’re looking for a meal, then head into town towards Easter Road.
Busses that get you to the front door include the 4, 5, 26, 44 and 45.
Overall
I was impressed at New Year, New Me, New World Order. Yes, the opening night vibe surely contributed, and it was nice walking through a crowd who had brought their own bottles or tinnies, but the artworks spoke for themselves.
It’s a good space in Edinburgh Palette, even if the building wrestles with an unwelcoming front door and ageing infrastructure, and by the time you’ve found the exhibition, you’ll have found a long and well-lit gallery space.
Much of the art is for sale, with prices ranging from below £100 to around £2000, and I think there will be sales. I certainly overheard discussions in which couples debated making a purchase. That speaks to the quality.
Posh art, this is not, and I’ll use the word ‘indie’ again to describe the statements, insights and emotional captures on display here. If you know you’re scene, and this is it, I predict you’ll enjoy New Year, New Me, New World Order.
If you’re art-curious like me, then know I enjoyed the exhibition, with some strong favourites and an equal number of ‘meh, next’ for balance.
New Year, New Me, New World Order
Summary
An indie and a contemporary mixture of provocative artworks on display in a reused/upcycled ex-Civil Service monolith. “New Year, New Me, New World Order” is to be checked out and talked about. This is an exhibition you can tell friends about and pique their curiosity.
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