CRITIC’S CHOICE

Glasgow has a rich and varied reputation as a city-wide plinth for public art and a new art trail around the centre of Glasgow is the very ticket for anyone looking to avoid crowded spaces in these testing times. From this coming Thursday, look out for information around Glasgow and online about a brand new Contemporary Art Trail for the city centre, showcasing the many diverse and significant pieces of work that can be found there.

Among the 14 pieces of contemporary art on the trail are; Douglas Gordon’s Empire installation (1997), The Clyde Clock (George Wyllie, 1999, Killermont Street); and Tympanum (Niki de Saint Phalle, 1996, Gallery of Modern Art).

The remaining 11 pieces will be revealed on Thursday. The location of these artworks ranges from Rose Street and Renfrew Street down to Nelson Mandela Place and the Broomielaw, and over to Hutcheson Street and Rottenrow.

Glasgow’s City Centre Contemporary Art Trail is part of the Glasgow City

Council’s City Centre Strategy and aims to give residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy some of the contemporary art than can be seen from the streets of the city centre. By shining light on the public art around the city, the trail also underlines the notable cultural role that Glasgow has played, and continues to play, in Scotland, the UK and Europe. The trail feeds into the High Street Area Strategy, which includes key objectives such as celebrating and promoting the unique local offer; enhancing the look and feel of the area; and increasing footfall to and throughout the High Street and surrounding district. Which can only be a good thing. A guide booklet will be available from various museums and cultural venues.