lookdownlookout 18.12.11

These photos were taken in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery which just reopened at the end of November after 2 years of restoration and renovation. When I used to work at the Galleries this was my always my favourite site and I think that they've done a really great job of renewing it. From what I've heard and seen it has been really busy and seems to be a great success so far.

The top photos were taken in the library which used to be closed to the public but has now been moved to a different room and opened up. It is a lovely room and I really like the big round lampshades and the bookcases showing off the collection.

This is the entrance hall of the SNPG looking particularly lovely at Christmas. The paintings and the gilding have been carefully restored and the space has been modernised with some computer information points sensitively put at one side. This is definitely somewhere I intend to visit lots in 2012.

lookdownlookout 22.10.11

This sculpture caught my eye whilst dashing through Amsterdam Schipol Airport on the very last wee bit of my mega-journey back to Edinburgh. It made me look twice (maybe it was the jetlag) but I like the sentiment behind it. So go on...

lookdownookout 19.10.11

During our time in Beijing we spent a brilliant afternoon wandering around 798, an area crammed full of art galleries, workshops and shops full of lots of creativity as well as tempting goodies to buy. 

lookdownlookout 19.7.11

These are photographs of a new Martin Creed artwork that was flagged up to me for my blog by my friend Adam (thanks Adam!). It's called Work No. 1059, 2011. Creed exhibited at the nearby Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh last year and was also commissioned by the gallery to create a piece of public art. What he chose to do was this - resurface the depressing, old (and stinky) stone steps running from the Scotsman Hotel to Market Street with 104 different types and colours of marbles from all over the world. The steps are really striking and I think that Creed's intervention definitely improves the space. If only we could afford to do up lots more public spaces with pretty marble.