Folly and Landscape brings together a collection of new and recent works by Andy Holden. Works on display included four new paintings, which continued the artist's exploration of the islet of Rockall, a 20 metre tall outcrop in the Atlantic Ocean, a subject which is also the basis for the spoken word piece, Bastion of Empire | A Heap of Language | An Exercise in Simultaneity. The simultaneous telling of various aspects of the islet's history, geology and biodiversity and the complicated politics of the contested island, embody Holden's interest in the way an accumulation of narratives and meanings are ascribed to objects and places. The exhibition was accompanied by an event and a lecture.

This exhibition was curated by Frances Stacey, New Work Scotland's Curatorial Intern.

Programme

Beerbottle Stalagmite sale, 11 January 2013, 7—9pm.
During the preview of Folly and Landscape, Holden set up a temporary street stall outside the gallery and staged a sale of Beerbottle Stalagmites. Holden refers to these as 'original multiples', they are small facsimiles made from leftover plaster and empty beer bottles that function as souvenirs of the works on display in the gallery.

Lecture on Nesting, 12 January 2013, 3—4pm
Central Library, George IV Bridge.
Peter Holden is an ornithologist, who after a 40-year career at the RSPB was awarded an MBE for services to conservation. He regularly lectures and writes on many aspects of ornithology and has published numerous books including The RSPB Handbook of British Birds and the RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife.

Download the exhibition information here

Read the New Work Scotland 2013 publication here

New Work Scotland Programme was an initiative launched by Collective in 2000. Through an open call, New Work Scotland Programme identified and supported some of the most promising new practitioners working in Scotland - providing them with the opportunity to create new work and bring it to the attention of a wider public. The 2013 participants were Frances Stacey, Calvin Laing, James Bell, Conor Kelly, Shona Macnaughton, Tom Varley and Rachel Maclean.