Aberdeen’s Art Gallery and Museum may be closed for renovation but you’ll still be able to admire one of its most famous pieces – on its outside.
A large 39ft by 130ft wrap was unveiled yesterday which covers the front of the cultural venue while it undergoes a £30million transformation.
One side of the wrap gives people a sneak peak of what the gallery will look like when it re-opens in late 2017 while the other is one of the most famous pieces of artwork found at the venue.
“It’s called To Pastures New by James Guthrie,” said councillor Jenny Laing, leader of Aberdeen City Council.
“I think that is quite significant because we want the traditional building to remain within the scape of the city but we want to transform the inside.”
Also blazoned on the banner is the words “Invest in Art and Music – It’s Your Gallery” – a reminder to everyone who sees it how there are plenty of opportunities for them to get involved.
A Heritage Lottery Fund grant of almost £10million has already been awarded for the re-development programme while Aberdeen City Council has committed £10million from its non-housing capital fund. A public and philanthropic fundraising campaign hopes to raise the remaining £10million.
Around £612,000 of that remaining total has already been raised and it is hoped the wrap – as well as other events planned for throughout the campaign – will inspire people to donate.
Mrs Laing added: “I think when you see a wrap on a building rather than scaffolding, it lets people see exactly what the renovation is all about. I think the pictures we have on it are really exciting, it shows what we can do within an old traditional building but create it for the 21st century.
“What we want to do is get people talking and thinking about the redevelopment itself. We felt to have a wrap on the building allows people to see what it is likely to look like once the redevelopment is finished and to really spur them into thinking what the future can be for the gallery and what it will mean for the people living in the city but also how we can attract people in to see it from all over the world.”
Deputy leader of Aberdeen City Council, councillor Marie Bolton, helped unveil the latest development. She said she was “excited” to start seeing the plans come to fruition.
“When you first look at plans it’s sometimes hard to visualise but it was quite clear what the benefits were going to be. I think it’s just another part of the journey in the life of the art gallery and what’s really important for me is that we’ve kept the integrity of the art gallery and of the Cowdry Hall. We are transforming the war memorial with a blessing of the British Legion. We are doing it very sensitively so that again it feels far more accessible to the public.
“It’s not just about transforming the building though, it’s about transforming the audience. It was always seen as a little bit elitist and for me, even if your art is drinking coffee, we will get you in there. Once you get over that door people will begin to think well this is somewhere I could come, they’ll get a taste of what’s on offer.
“This building wasn’t given to the city from the public purse, it was given from a person’s pocket. They recognised the value of culture all those years ago and you could continue that tradition of giving to the cultural venues of this city and making sure that they have a future. I don’t mind if people can give £1, £100, £100,000, or even more, it’s about being actively involved in making sure that the building has a future and one that everyone can make use of.”
A new look and a flurry of activity
While the main focus was on the new look exterior yesterday, inside was a flurry of activity.
Work was progressing on every level of the building – scaffolding pipes were being secured in place, plaster has gone on the walls and the beams are in situ for a new floor near the top of the building.
Windows on the left hand front side of the building, which will become new doorways and flood the main floor with natural light, are beginning to take shape and the floor of the balcony level of the memorial court has been extended.
The transformation project ‘Inspiring Art and Music’ will restore Aberdeen Art Gallery’s complex of buildings including Cowdray Hall and the Hall of Remembrance.
It will create a rooftop gallery, new educational facilities, offering opportunities for all to learn more about the arts, a 500 square metre space in which to showcase international-quality exhibitions and a new purpose-built community gallery.
The planned upgrading of the Cowdray Hall will include the creation of additional seating, which will allow more people to enjoy performances, while the facilities for performers will also be enhanced.
The Remembrance Hall will also be carefully renovated to reflect its role as a space for quiet contemplation, a civic space to honour the sacrifices made on behalf of the community, as well as encourage its wider use within the overall building complex. There will be a Gallery of Memories on the new first floor balcony, which will contribute to making that sacrifice relevant to today’s generation.
Councillor Laing said they were on course to re-open the gallery at the end of 2017.
“It’s going really well,” she added.
How can you support the project?
Those wishing to support the project can visit www.aagm.co.uk/donate or phone 01224 523670.
Donations can also be made by SMS by texting AAGM001 to 70970 to donate £5 and AAGM001 to 70191 to donate £10.
Donors can also make a contribution by making cheques payable to Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums Development Trust, and sending them to: Inspiring Art and Music Campaign, Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Shiprow, Aberdeen, AB11 5BY.
Alternatively, call 01224 523670.
