The young dads, a group of single parents, needed somewhere to take their kids at weekends. Why not try the museum, asked the outreach worker. “Oh no”, the dads say. “That’s for posh people.”But then, persuaded, they come. They see among the displays Dundee football, factories, familiar faces, and they say, “Wow! This is about us. My dad, my granddad, worked in that … [Read more...] about Who’s it for – yon McMenace?
art
GSA fire: lessons from the exclusion zone
When Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building was devastated in June by a second fire in just four years, the distress and disbelief across the world was palpable.This time the entire building was destroyed, reducing to ashes £35m of painstaking work to repair the previous damage. But for the art school’s immediate neighbours – residents and businesses alike – the fire … [Read more...] about GSA fire: lessons from the exclusion zone
Oscar Marzaroli: Scottish snapper
I had no idea that the extraordinary photos of Oscar Marzaroli are now available for all on the web at this dedicated site , courtesy of Anne Marzaroli, until a chance search on Google gave me the link.This must surely be one of the most extraordinary collections of photos of 20th century Scotland, and Glasgow in particular.Make a cup of tea or coffee, sit back and … [Read more...] about Oscar Marzaroli: Scottish snapper
England’s southern North
The north of England is as much of a myth as a material reality. Its particular economic, political, social and geographic qualities give it a unique character, distinct from the south of England.Since 1980s de-industrialisation, the north has been characterised as a region in decline. But this summer’s Great Exhibition of the North is redressing this perception, by … [Read more...] about England’s southern North
Rudolph von Ripper: artist eyewitness to Nazi terror
Baron Rudolph von Ripper (1905-60) was a multifaceted bon viveur, famous in his day as an artist and a soldier. His friends called him ‘Rip’.After the Second World War he was forgotten by history until the fortuitous discovery of a blue file containing his letters and photographs at an uninhabited villa on the Spanish island of Mallorca made it possible to resurrect his … [Read more...] about Rudolph von Ripper: artist eyewitness to Nazi terror