Behind the scenes of the Auld Alliance Contemporary Exhibitions
For its second year running, the Auld Alliance Contemporary Exhibitions presents a Franco-Scottish art show throughout October in Edinburgh. Our team is very pleased to introduce this beautiful project at the Institut français d’Ecosse.
A word about the concept
The idea of the curator Helen Anne Shields is to exhibit the works of established French artists alongside works from young up-and-coming Scottish artists. She set up the Auld Alliance Contemporary Exhibitions (AACE) in 2013 and brought the concept to the Institut français d’Ecosse over the past 2 years. The yearly Franco-Scottish exhibition aims to create networks for artists, creative people and organizations across generations and culture. Moreover, the intercultural collaboration brings some freshness to the Scottish art scene. And it makes the Institute’s gallery look wonderful!
What makes the 2015 edition so special?
This year, the AACE has selected nine Franco-Scottish artists, as a blend of cross-cultural and generational duos: Margat, Paella and Hélène Lhote for France, introduced with their Scottish counterparts Flo Gordon, Jacob Kerray, Lauren Bowman, Matt Sloe, Megan Rea and Ross MacRae. The 2015 exhibition shows powerful, playful and vibrant works, linked across cultures and artists. Each piece is a perfect reflect of an artist’s hand, that is why we like this melting-pot of colours and styles. A little ‘chouchou’? Hard to say. From the Meccano stalactite sculptures of Hélène Lhote to the architectural landscapes of Megan Rea, interactions are always suggested. But, if we just had one piece to pick in this edition, it would be the work of Jacob Kerray called “The Four Horsemen on the Road to Wrestle Mania via the Marriott Hotel”. Look at this big colorful canvas for a few seconds, it will get you instantly in the strong imaginary world of Kerray. Greatly received during the opening, the art show is waiting for your visit until the 31 October at the Institut français d’Ecosse.
Photos by Norman Villeroux
