Own Art: GRID: Going Places

GRID art map has only been around since September 2010 but it’s hard to remember a time when it wasn't there. Mapping all the contemporary art venues across Glasgow and listings of current shows, it’s an invaluable guide for anyone looking to see some art in the city.

Launched by Sebastian Gorton Kalvik and Arron Sands, it was initially influenced by the map produced during the biennial Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art, which made the vast array of events easier to navigate. But since then it has gained an online presence and they recently launched GRID Edinburgh, supported by funding from Creative Scotland through the Own Art scheme. All the galleries that participate in Own Art are listed on GRID, so just pocket a copy and you’re ready to go gallery hopping. We asked Kalvik and Sands for some tips.

You’ve recently launched GRID in Edinburgh. Looking at the map, one is struck by the amazing diversity of galleries in the city. Do you find it prompts you to visit places you wouldn’t normally think of going?
Just as in Glasgow, we had an idea that there was lots going on but it's not until we sat down and mapped all the information that we realised quite how much diversity there is across a relatively large number of galleries for a city the size of Edinburgh.

The dedicated gallery-goer can end up trekking round Edinburgh for hours. Apart from going armed with GRID, what tips would you offer to someone making a day of it?
We would recommend booking tickets to go to Jupiter Artland and getting an early start from Waverley station on the 27 or X27 bus. Spend a morning wandering around permanent outdoor works from exciting contemporary artists in a rural location before making your way back to into the city centre in time for lunch. Use the afternoon to wander the streets from gallery to gallery whilst taking in the amazing sites and architecture. When you can see no more art then eat some more food and hit some of the many great pubs and bars.

You’ve described GRID as not just a map but a listings publication in its own right. Are there any current shows in Glasgow and Edinburgh that you can recommend?
The Rachel Maclean exhibition, I HEART SCOTLAND, at Edinburgh Printmakers from 1 August until 7 September is not to be missed and in Glasgow we would recommend the Re-connect group show at Project Ability in Trongate 103 that runs from 2-31 August. 

Where can we pick up a copy of GRID?
All galleries in Edinburgh apart from the National Galleries and all galleries in Glasgow stock copies of GRID and also a selection of other venues such as the Goethe Institute and bars such as Stereo in the city centre of Glasgow. We are always open to suggestions of new venues to stock GRID.

What do you do when not fulfilling Scotland’s artistic map needs?
Sebastian works as a freelance graphic designer on projects in the UK and internationally and Arron is a writer, artist and curator currently working on a second book of poetry.