Let's Blow This One Horse Town: Departures '09

How does it go Ms. Wynette? “Sometimes it's hard to be a woman”? I guess sometimes it is. I'm supposing it's sometimes a bit of a struggle being a man too. There are points in the year when crafty therapy – the Fraggle-esque 'knit your cares away' approach to combating the stresses of choc-a-bloc diaries and cluttered brains – just doesn't work. We all need a break from time to time. We need to unwind and relax. Sadly, this Made In The Shade gal's bank balance simply won't support a proper holiday – domestic or otherwise. Having had just about enough of daily toil and associated stresses, Clare and I decided to take a little trip. We jumped on the 38 bus and headed for Departures '09, the end of year show at The Met (Glasgow Metropolitan College). Not exactly far flung and hardly exotic – but rather refreshing all the same.

We were initially a little dubious about the effectiveness of the whole 'journey/destination' theme of the show but as we entered the college foyer, we quickly realised just how appropriate and well executed the event design and branding were. I had a lovely, whooshy moment of nostalgia as I noticed that The Met foyer has a similar feel and aesthetic to Gerona Airport in Barcelona. Happy holidays. Adding to the getaway vibes, there were luggage trolleys and cardboard cut-out flight attendants positioned around the welcome space. Each floor was assigned an airport gate number!

Carboard cut-out hostess and host

We were greeted by a very helpful lady in full air hostess get-up who handed us our passports – a cute little booklet detailing the whereabouts of each academic discipline's showcase. We shuffled through the chattering crowds of family and friends and made our way to 'the check-in queue' (the queue for the lift!) As we all stood there, necks crooked upward waiting for the little L.E.D light to turn green on the elevator panel, many a titter was overheard about how the experience was mirroring the departure lounge a little too much. Once we'd boarded and taken off, one elevator passenger quipped that the journey to the twelfth floor really did feel like a long haul flight! After a bit of a bumpy landing (deary dear, those lifts are shoogly) we made our way first to Studios C & D - the Photography exhibit.

I was attending this particular part of the show as proud wife and longtime fan of Beardy Maclennan. 'Twas just swell to see Beardy's work on display alongside his classmates' compositions. Not only was Beardy's photographic work commended, so was his beard. One chap enthusiastically shared his observation that Beardy looks like Bonnie “Prince” Billy and another stated with unwavering conviction that Beardy's beard is the best beard. Ever.

It was impossible to take snaps of the photographic work on account of glare and reflections in the frames. When y'all go along to the show though, look out for Rosalind Dallas' sinister landscape-come-still life shots of abandoned toys.

Sculpture by Amy Soutar

Clare was drawn to the image of the wooden pull along dog abandoned on a beach and I was rather taken with the shot of a blonde haired, blue eyed dolly face down in undergrowth. When my mother, who had also accompanied us on our 'holiday', had digested the toy series she shook her wee head and said, in a very stern, sort of concerned tone, “No, no. I don't like that. Poor dolly.”

Our favourite concept of the evening came from the brain of Campbell Mitchell. Campbell's shots of Morecambe beach hark back to a bygone age when seaside holidays and the Royal family helped underpin British culture. Using pretty vintage wallpaper as his backdrop, Campbell composed a fun, nostalgic collage. Flying ducks, gift shop tea towels, seaside memorabilia and other vintage ephemera added a kitsch quality and additional context to the three main images displayed – though this time not in frames but as digitally printed images on handbags.

Squeaks of glee escaped my throat as I browsed the Applied Arts show. I particularly enjoyed Amy Soutar's photographic collage and sculpture pieces (I have a fetish for vintage photos!). Oh, and Lynsey Reid's very personal collage of objet d' arte was just dreamy.

Hat by Lydia McAuley

We managed a sneaky peek at some other disciplines too. Clare was most impressed by Hazel Allington's collection of three metal/perspex rings (Jewellery Department) and I adored the pink felt and lace cloche hat by Lydia McAuley (Hat Making evening class).

Having enjoyed a plastic cup of wine, some cute (and tasty) white chocolate 'Departures '09' sweeties, it was time for us to make our departure. My gommy body can only remain upright for short spells you see, and my whirlwind holidaying at The Met fair took it out of me. We made our return flight on the elevator, thanked our hostess for ensuring our journey was an enjoyable one and headed for the bus terminal. Spending some quality time in the company of aspiring makers and artists sure does revive the ole spirits and helps put the daily grumbles into perspective.

 

Departures '09 is open to the public until June 12th. See The Met website for opening times.