News

Skills Biennale 2014

  • Serena McGurk
We're thrilled to be involved in a collaboration between five major arts organisations based in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City (Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Sound Festival, Deveron Arts, Woodend Barn and Gray's School of Art) to deliver Skills Biennale 2014. The theme of Food And Sustainability creates a platform for five collaborations between artists and local food practices (small businesses, artisans, community groups and food banks).

Each organisation will curate a Slow Prototype (SP) bringing together internationally renowned contemporary artists with crafts/trades people in residencies of up to 4 weeks in August / September 2014. Each SP is about different sets of skills coming together on equal terms and mutually affecting each other, generating something unexpected, unfolding through each collaboration.

The North East of Scotland has a reputation as Scotland's larder (fishing, Aberdeen Angus, traditional products such as shortbread and whisky...) but there is not a reputation for eating well in the North East. The five invited artists will spend time engaging with local food organisations and the local community. The creativity of artists and their curiosity will question the paradox of a less than ideal diet in a place of amazing produce.

Gray's School of Art: Ceila Gonzalez and Community Food Initiatives North East, looking at food security
sound festival: Composer Stephen Montague and BrewDog, looking at the sounds of a brewery
Deveron Arts: Gayle Chong Kwan looking at issues of waste with Deans, shortbread makers
Scottish Scupture Workshop: Stephen Brandes (Domestic Godless) and Alford Oats, a local mill
Woodend Barn: Tom Prichard and  Cambus O May Cheese Company, looking specifically at the senses

The project will culminate in the form of a 2-day Skills Biennale on the 6th and 7th September 2014, where the results of Slow Prototype projects (performances and exhibitions) will show the breadth and quality of work that is created in Aberdeenshire. A one-day bus tour will be organised around the five projects, allowing audiences to see all five Slow Prototypes on the 6th.

Coach departs Grays School of Art, Aberdeen at 9.30am and will visit Aberdeen Foodbank - Banchory / Cambus O'May - Lumsden / Alford - Huntly - Ellon.  Returning to Aberdeen approx 8pm
Biennale Tour - £15 / £10 conc. (full time students, u/waged, o/60s) includes light refreshments throughout the day.

You can see the collaboration between composer Stephen Montague and Brewdog's brewer Stephen Allerston on Sat 6 Sept at 5, 6 & 7pm @ Brewdog HQ, Ellon.  Booking necessary (audience numbers limited to 20 per performance).

Tickets available from Woodend Barn Box Office:
www.woodendbarn.co.uk
tel 01330 825431