IC: Innovative Craft, a new organisation dedicated to offering opportunities to view craft in new ways and unexpected locations, is holding its first project during Doors Open Day Edinburgh on 24 September 2005.

Each year, Doors Open Day Edinburgh attracts thousands of visitors to see inside an array of buildings, old and new, civic and domestic, religious and secular – buildings that are normally hidden away or seen only from the outside.

The new project is called, ‘Behind the Doors there is an object….’, a name which alludes to a series of contemporary objects that are taking up temporary residence for one in seven of the buildings taking part in Doors Open Day. 

These craft objects will encourage visitors to reflect on some of these buildings in a different way as the works have been carefully selected to link with the building and spaces.

Here are details of the buildings which for one day only will be home to selection of contemporary craft and the background to the choices:

IC:1 George Heriot’s School (venue 11), Lauriston Place, Edinburgh.  Open 10am to 1pm.

Objects for contemplation and use: the Scottish tradition

The school was founded in the 17th century through the bequest of George Heriot, jeweller and goldsmith to James VI.  The school’s chapel will house handraised silver by Edinburgh silversmith William Kirk.

IC:2 Sandeman House (venue 22), home of the Scottish Book Trust, Trunk’s Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh.  Open 10am to 4pm. 

Objects and words, words, words

The passion for words and texts informs the works on show here. Lettercutter Richard Kindersley, whose work can be found in buildings all over the UK has an inscribed Kenyan proverb in the Trust’s garden. Dominic Fonde is a storyteller, glass engraver and haiku writer, and will show his glass story vessels. Rachel Hazell reads, makes and loves books, and her unexpected books will be on the Trust’s shelves.

IC:3  17 Royal Terrace Mews (venue 35), Edinburgh.  Open 9am to 5pm.

New objects, new buildings

Linda Green, a textile artist trained and based in Edinburgh, shows examples of her work within one of a number of Richard Murphy designed buildings on view.

IC:4  Central Mosque (venue 29), 50 Potterow, Edinburgh.  Open 10am to 5pm.

Objects for contemplation and use: an international dimension
       
The historic and contemporary world of objects in Europe would be incomparably poorer without the rich traditions of pottery, textiles and metalwork from the Islamic world. The design and making of objects crosses international boundaries. This is celebrated by the pairing of ceramics by Will Marshall and Japanese-born Hiroshi Suzuki’s silver vessels within the mosque’s library space.

IC:5   Royal Auxiliary Air Force (venue 52), 25 Learmonth Terrace, Edinburgh.  Open 10am to 5pm. 

Objects of memory

The late Victorian home of Arthur Sanderson, a wine merchant and art collector, is now the home of no.603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron. The strands come together through a video/textile piece by Caroline Broadhead originally created during a residency at the Imperial War Museum. It will allow visitors to consider ways in which clothing, news footage and other objects reflect the experience and memory of military engagement.

IC:6  Royal Observatory Edinburgh (venue 65), Blackford Hill, Edinburgh.  Open 10am to 5pm.

Seeing objects – a new vision

The Royal Observatory site on Blackford Hill includes both Victorian observatory buildings and state-of-the-art facilities for exploration and observation. Science is married with art in the work of Scottish-based glass artist Keiko Mukaide. Her glass Bubble sculptures, first seen at Hill House in Helensburgh, will be located in the Royal Observatory’s grounds.

IC:7 British Geological Survey (venue 66), Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh.  Open 10am to 5pm.

Objects and their material origins

The work of geologists has close associations with many of the materials of jewellery-making, such as metal ores and gemstones. Two young Edinburgh designers, Grace Girvan and Beth Legg, who are inspired by the changing Scottish landscape and the shore, will be showing their jewellery and demonstrating their processes on site.

Admission to all venues is free. 

The event has been organised by IC: Innovative Craft in collaboration with Doors Open Day Edinburgh and supported by The Jerwood Charity and the Scottish Gallery.