IC:Innovative Craft Blog

The latest developments at IC:Innovative Craft, including contributions from a range of guest contributors:

The Challenge of a Brand New Exhibition Space

Posted Thursday 10 July 2008, 10:34am

Artist's impression of the second floor of the new Dovecot building. Image courtesy Malcolm Fraser Architects.

Now less than a month to go until the new Dovecot spaces open in Edinburgh and IC:Innovative Craft finally has a proper home.

The floor tiles were being installed last week and are looking good! The shade of paint that was agreed, Ice Mountain, looks perfect as a flexible hanging surface.

The two exhibitions of international contemporary metal and Dovecot tapestries are shaping up well. Set build and graphic design for both shows is well underway and the final list of works is looking very strong. This new building has such potential as an exhibition space - an astonishing 6600 square feet of it, right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

It is professionally exciting, and challenging, to have the responsibility for creating the launch events and exhibitions with David Weir of Dovecot Studios. For me, it’s a new experience to be starting with such a blank canvas before an exhibition. All those years of exhibition organising at the Scottish Gallery and I knew the spaces and how they worked intimately. As the Dovecot spaces are only going to be revealed, fully, at the moment of installation, a degree of intelligent guess work is required. Also, how all the visitors will actually circulate in the space will only be apparent on the day!

At this stage in exhibition preparation I am immersed in the endless detail of practical delivery (transport, insurance, staffing etc) while trying to keep sight of the final vision of the installed exhibitions. The plans for the Reception Area are also going well, with a great list of furniture coming from One Eco Home – all pieces which demonstrate good sustainable design credentials.

Invitations now printed; catalogues at the designers; opening party planned. Each day more things ticked off and more (usually more) added.

Eight of the 12 international makers from Raising the Bar are going to be at the opening which is fantastic news, except I must now find them all accommodation during the International Festival…

Amanda Game, Lead Director, IC:Innovative Craft.

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