This Week in Scottish Art: Simon Starling & more

Simon Starling and new shows in Glasgow

Tonight (Tues 10 Nov) at 6pm, there is the first of this week’s two Simon Starling-themed events. For today’s primer, he will discuss his major new commission developed with the Common Guild – taking place during Glasgow International 2016, Starling will stage a performance of WB Yeats’ play At the Hawk’s Well. Tickets are still available as we hit the web; the event takes place in the University of Glasgow's Yudowitz Lecture Theatre, and tickets are priced at £2.50.

If the primer is of interest, this Friday in Glasgow Starling previews his new major exhibition of work in The Modern Institute Aird’s Lane. Starling is now an internationally recognised artist, after beginning his career in Glasgow over 20 years ago. His work often results from material transformation, or a consideration of metamorphosis in a more broadly conceptual sense.

Past works have seen Starling sailing a boat made from a shed (then rebuilding it, earning a Turner Prize win) and melting down an antique silver spoon to become a counterfeit 20 pence piece. This Friday, the preview of 'Nine Feet Later' begins at 7pm.

This Friday in the CCA, there is an opening performance to mark the beginning of Blu_Angl, a new exhibition of the work of artist Michelle Hannah. Hannah easily positions herself with high conceptual awareness of her place as a performer and artist, without denying a sense of romanticism – read our 2013 interview to find out more about Hannah's practice.

Often wearing white contact lenses blinding her to the audience, there can be an introversion to Michelle Hannah's public performances; for this particular show, she takes her lead from the discussion by 19th century Italian essayist Giacomo Leopardi of the relation between fashion and death. Opening this Friday from 7pm, the exhibition continues until 27 November with durational performances at sporadic times throughout.

Rhubaba Choir and exhibitions in Edinburgh

Please take note; choir practice is this Thursday from 6.30pm-8.30pm, in Edinburgh’s Rhubaba gallery. The Rhubaba Choir has performed at gigs, events and performances in strange places in the past, acting as a welcoming environment for anyone who wants to sing with others as well as a resource for artists interested in working with collective singing groups in more experimental ways.

The Choir's repertoire has included “13th Century Anchorite, Julian of Norwich, Ivor Cutler and Iggy Pop.”  Newcomers are welcome, though it’s advised to email choir@rhubaba.org in advance or for more information. This Thursday 12 November, a workshop will be given by BAFTA-winning sound artist and composer Richy Carey.

Returning this Friday, Another Minimalism opens as the Fruitmarket’s new big show. Pioneers of West Coast American minimalism Robert Irwin and Larry Bell’s historically significant work is exhibited alongside contemporary artistic descendants. Marking the occasion, there will be a curator’s talk from 5-6pm, followed by an opening reception from 6pm.

Exhibitions at Hospitalfield and Generator

Leaving the city, Hospitalfield presents a new exhibition to open its winter programme of events. Painting is the theme of the CONTINUUM season, and the exhibition is complicatedly inspired by a 1938 painting of young people painting in Hospitalfield by classically-inspired Scottish painter James Cowie.

Contemporary artists Victoria Morton and Michael Fullerton also contributed to the concept, as they considered their biographical positions (studying painting in Glasgow at a time when conceptual art was about to take a complete hold of arts education in the city). For this reason, Cowie is shown alongside Morton, Fullerton and their former tutor Jack Knox, with connections being drawn from here to other exhibiting artists.

Fresh from celebrating the opening of their important new community-oriented space, Generator Dundee preview their latest exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Christopher Macinnes. Titled Small Gate, Infinite Field, his latest work consists of “moving image, sound and script” as a means of encountering issues of consumption and collectivity. Physically speaking, reference is made to industrial environments and the persistence of living and growing matter. Previewing this Friday 7-9pm, the show continues until 13 December.

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More from The Skinny:

• A look at National Galleries of Scotland's new show on Woman Artists, 1885-1965
• Julian Tolhurst on life in a Chinese art village
• Creative Edinburgh awards announced this week – read the shortlist here