A CONTEMPORARY art festival has announced 10 major commissions for its first iteration outside London – in Dundee.
From 7pm until late on June 24, Art Night will present 10 projects from a range of artists across the city in a number of free events supported by Creative Scotland.
Mark Flynn from Dundee City Council said: “I am delighted that Dundee will be the first venue outside London to host the unveiling of so many ambitious live events, installations and performances developed in partnership with local communities.
“The city’s reputation as a visitor attraction of choice for its heritage and culture can only be cemented with the announcement of such a prestigious and creative event happening here.”
At the Little Theatre, Turner Prize-winning artist Tai Shani will present her play My Bodily Remains, Your Bodily Remains, And All The Bodily Remains That Ever Were, And Ever Will Be with an original score and digital animations.
Meanwhile, Nabihah Iqbal will perform a musical takeover of the RRS Discovery, featuring guest collaborators. Also at the Discovery will be Saoirse Amira Anis’s (pictured) visual art piece Symphony for a Fraying Body.
Emma Hart will present, according to the festival: “A euphoric situation at a special venue in Dundee to be disclosed near to Art Night” and at Generator Projects exhibition space, Inefficient Solutions will present the interactive Hi-Visit.
Arthurstone Community Library and the Keiller Centre will be the home to virtual game I Knew Your Voice Before You Spoke by Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, and Lucy McKenzie will present her film Nahrdelnik at V&A Dundee, an edit of the Czech film of the same name.
Film and live performance Dream Land (working title) by Heather Phillipson will be shown at Cooper Gallery and performance and installation by Richy Carey will be shown at Baxter Park Pavilion.
Finally, at Dundee Rep, Maria Fusco and Margaret Salmon will show their film about women and speech, History of the Present.
Further events will be announced next month.
Art Night artistic director Helen Nisbet said: “We are overjoyed to share the news of these 10 incredible artist commissions for Art Night Dundee, alongside a beautiful collaboration with artist communities in the city.
“Art Night Dundee is about the joy and tenderness of being together socially after a long time apart.”
Creative Scotland visual arts officer Kirsteen Macdonald said: “Art Night Dundee’s particular focus on ambitious new commissions and community partnerships will allow people to explore their relationship to the city in new ways, sharing the joy of gathering in new spaces and creating memorable experiences together.”
