craftscotland at Collect 2010

Fife Artists' & Makers' Forum 2010

Fife Contemporary Art & Craft is delighted to be able to offer an even bigger event this year, thanks to funding we've received from Celebrating Fife 2010. As usual, the day is open to all artists living or based in Fife, but this year it will also be open to artists living outside Fife. The theme for 2010's Forum is 'Sustainability - Looking over the Horizon'. There will be talks on how to sustain yourself as artists and also on how to sustain the planet with your art practice, in other words going from the personal to the global.

The venue is again Rothes Halls in Glenrothes, for which we are grateful to the Arts and Theatres Trust Fife, and the date for your diary is Saturday 17 April 2010, from 10am to 4pm.

Booking is essential and you can download a booking form here [1.2MB] and the accompanying Artists' Info Sheet here [157KB]. They have been made as pdf forms, which should mean you can complete them via your computer, save a copy and email it back to FCA&C as an attachment (see instructions on the form).

Confirmed speakers include Emma Walker of Craftscotland (talking about how to get the best out of the press for your work and practice); Dr Emilia Ferraro (from St Andrews University's Sustainable Development Programme); Glasgow based artist Justin Carter; and Simon Murray, one of the 'co-realisers' of Platform London's 'C Words' project (carbon, climate, capital, culture) held at Bristol's Arnolfini ini 2009. There will also be a chance to discuss a potential skills' exchange idea and even a practical art opportunity to take part in (optional!).

The day is completely free including lunch and refreshments.

Full details plus travel guidelines will be sent out to you nearer the date.

If you have any queries, please give us a ring on 01334 474610 or send an email.

Fife Contemporary Art & Craft: Artists’ & Makers’ Forum

Fife Contemporary Art & Craft: Artists’ & Makers’ Forum

Fife Contemporary Art & Craft has been holding an annual forum since 2007, giving craft and visual artists in Fife an opportunity to meet together and hear talks from inspirational artists, updates from local arts organisations, and generally make contact with each other.This year, with additional funding from Celebrating Fife 2010, FCA&C is delighted to be able to open the Forum to artists across the country! The theme this year is ‘Sustainability – Looking over the Horizon’, with talks on how to sustain yourself as an artist, as well as looking at the bigger picture – from the personal to the global.

The event will be held on Saturday 17 April 2010, 10am to 4pm, at Rothes Halls in Glenrothes.
It’s completely free, including lunch and refreshments during the day.
The booking form can be downloaded from FCA&C’s website www.fcac.co.uk/artist_resource/ or contact mail@fcac.co.uk

Join the Discussion!! (and enjoy a nnnniiiiice SOUP!) 2

(This is my A Fertile Ground - Soup & Conversation diary! For more documentation and information go to the project blog: http://a-fertile-ground.blogspot.com/)

Mike Small led the discussion. Photo by FCA&C

Participants writing down thoughts on the place mat - will be documented by Alex. Photo by FCA&C

Last Sunday was a good day! Mike Small from Fife Diet Project was a brilliant speaker in any aspect. And a few participants signed up to join the project.

Eating local food, I have to say I disagree with eating 100% local food - that's very localism for me. And since I'm not a very local person and always appreciate the chance to experience food from difference places - and at the same time do not have much money to travel, I do agree with Fife Diet's programme of having a certain percentage of your food from local resource - for me, maybe 60% is a workable number. This is a very strong support for local food producers and also remind people where and when what grows.

The soup was brilliant as usual - some people were held back by the Oatmeal Soup, but it's with different veggies and milk, very nice and healthy!!

For the next week's event (Sun 28th Feb), Alex invited Jane Stewart from St Andrews Cheese Farm to lead the discussion and we will be serving a Celery, Apple and 'Anster' Cheese soup! Limited Places left!
Book with the St Andrews Museum: 01334 659380

The Tasting and Recording Session by Gayle

The memory about food being told and recorded! Photo by FCA&C

Gayle in her 'Memory Tasting Unit' uniform was convincing a visitor to tell his story. Photo by FCA&C

Artist Gayle Chong Kwan did her tasting and recording session last Saturday the 20th, and we successfully got about 10 new recordings to go on the CD!

I was surprised to find out that Gayle has this white laboratory coat with 'Memory Tasting Unit' on it! All looked like a performance and very professional.
The spring rolls this time is very crispy and freshly out of Susan's (our very helpful programme manager) oven. I look forward to listen to the recordings!

* Gayle will be shown in the Project Room in Trongate 103, Glasgow from 1st - 8th April.
This exhibition is a preview of her new works came out of her recent residency with Ricefield Arts & Cultural Centre in Glasgow and a presentation of the concept behind them.
This project will feature a discussion event, a serious of workshops and drop-in activities around the senses in contemporary art.
For farther information please contact Lucy Keany, Project Co-ordinator, lucy@ricefield.org.uk.

Don't Forget Alex Wilde's Soup and Discussion Event this Sunday!

To book your place at the table please contact St Andrews Museum on 01334 659380.

Feb 21st
The discussion will be initiated by Mike Small and we will be serving an oatmeal soup.

Mike runs the Fife Diet Project, a mass-member food network of people accessing sustainable local food. The project brings people together who want to know where their food comes from and how it was produced, believing that together we can create alternatives to the globalised food system that will be part of our low carbon future. The project aims to help each other re-learn how to eat seasonally and challenge the insanity of food miles. Mike will be talking about recovering our national and local food culture as an antidote to globalisation.

www.fifediet.co.uk

Exhibiting Artworks for Sale! - Ideal Valentine's Day Gifts :)

Forgot to mention, some of the exhibiting artworks are for sale, including:

Rebecca Wilson (would love to receive any of her amazing but affordable works as a valentine's day gift!!!)
http://hotpotart.blogspot.com/2009/12/rebecca-wilson.html
You Tart!
Only the Best: Tarts and Floozies (26 pieces installation, for sale as the whole set or individual)
Fab (9 A4 size photos well furnished)
More images can be provided on request.

Alex Frost (Very valuable and great for contemporary art collection)
http://hotpotart.blogspot.com/2009/12/alex-frost.html
Blind Drawing (Hearts 2, 3, 4) - Furnished with beautiful & quality metal frames - From a series of 6 drawings, for sale individually. For the price of the whole series, please contact Sorcha Dallas:+44 (0)141 553 2662
Adult (Slimatee)

Ruth Archibald-Swaans (Interesting art work with decorative function)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8_4iNKijEd4CHVVBvVNfxf1Vq-SUF-dpqSKGhh458aobiEf4Xekm0dpMVZY_2f5IxRuwBeM6b4YgWfCn2-bVUFEdXdDAvuSNhmL5Nk8P8OPTL-LLkp-cQCeMfJSlqN8KQO0RMPYog7Q/s1600-h/Food+Games_07.jpg
Untitled (the wall piece)

Please contact for the price list and more images.

FCA&C

Tel: +44 (0) 1334 474610
Fax +44 (0) 1334 479880

Emails:
General: info@fcac.co.uk
Artists & Curator: tonia.lu@fcac.co.uk

Website: http://www.fcac.co.uk/

St Andrews Museum

Tel: +44 (0) 1334 659380

Join the Discussion!! (and enjoy a nnnniiiiice SOUP!)

(This is my A Fertile Ground - Soup & Conversation diary! For more documentation and information go to the project blog: http://a-fertile-ground.blogspot.com/!)

Picture of the 'soup in exchange of ideas' at the opening last Saturday. by Dougie (Douglas Morland)


Just had Alex Wilde's first discussion event yesterday! Turned out so well!

The knowledgeable speakers - John and Nicola Fletcher form Seriously Good Venison led the talk, and joined the table was a very diverse group of participants!

We had a Medieval Cook from Medieval Methil (http://www.medievalmethil.co.uk/) - Fife's Medieval re-enactment society; A lady from local library; people who just love art and food and, of course, the 'Fans' of the Fletchers!

What I can remember most clearly was John said that the venison in supermarkets are mostly from New Zealand, despite the fact that there are over 20 deer farms in Scotland now! I will definitly get some venison (even just the cheap cuts!) from the Fletchers next week - they will be selling at St Andrews Farmer's Market on the 6th Feb.

The duck soup was amazing! Haven't had it for ages. So here's another thing to add to my list of 'things that make me admire Alex' - she cooked the soup without tasting! And the vegan soup was nice as well - yes, we have a vegan option every week!

For the next week's event (Sun 7th Feb), Alex invited Eva Schonveld from Transition Scotland to lead the discussion and we will be serving a roasted garlic and potato soup! Limited Places left!
Book with the St Andrews Museum: 01334 659380

HOTPOT Publication Available NOW!

The HOTPOT publication is available from St Andrews Museum and FCA&C office NOW! With a special exhibition price - only £3!

http://shop.fcac.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=170

It is a Set of 7 A5 artists' recipe cards - with all the artists and curator's favourite winter dishes and their information etc.; doublesided full colour; presented in quality translucent envelope!

Exhibition Installation Shots! - By Chris Park

Anyone noticed we changed the Title Image? That's a picture that Chris took of our logo in the gallery!


Alex Frost
Adult (Slimatee) sculpture (2007) centre, surrounded by Left to Right Blind Drawing (Hearts 2, 4 & 3) - all 2009
Courtesy the artist & Sorcha Dallas, Glasgow
Photo Chris Park


Ruth Archibald-Swaans
Play Please! (edible chess and dominoes for playing with), 2010
Untitled (hanging latex wall piece), 2009
Photo Chris Park


Gayle Chong Kwan
Manipulated Memory Tasting Booth, 2006
Listen to food related memories in her special booth
Photo Chris Park

Alex Wilde
A Fertile Ground, 2010
Installation/project involving soup + discussion over 4 Sundays duriing the exhibition
Photo Chris Park



Rebecca Wilson
Only the Best: Tarts and Floozies, 2009
Porcelain 'tart ladies'!
Photo Chris Park

FCA&C Finally Social Networked!!!

After lots of effort we are finally social networked!

FCA&C blog: http://blog.fcac.co.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/fifecontemp
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tonia.lu?ref=profile#/pages/Fife-Contemporary-Art-Craft/253053157223?ref=mf
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/fifecontemporary

And the new version of the website with all the feeds on our front page and new shop front will be on-line soon as well!

New Event on 20th Feb!

Artist Gayle Chong Kwan's Tasting & Recording session for her work ' 'Manipulated Memory Tasting Booth' has been moved to 20th Feburary 1pm. Drop-in and taste our spring rolls!

Spring rolls will still be served at the opening when you listen to other people's memories in the booth. Also Alex Wilde will be serving veggie soup in exchange of your idea!

For full events programme please check: http://hotpotart.blogspot.com/2009/12/events-programme.html

Gayle Interviewed by BBC Radio 4!

Gayle Chong Kwan, Manipulated Memory Tasting Booth, 2006, photo copyright Gayle Chong Kwan

Artist Gayle Chong Kwan was interviwed by Radio 4 Food Programme - as part of the discussion in the Food & Art.

Click here for more details!: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p7hfv

The audio file will be available soon.

A Preview of 'Play Please!'

Ruth just posted a few images of the 'Play Please!' photos - part of the installation on her blog!

Have a look -> http://rutharchibaldswaans.blogspot.com/2010/01/hotpot-exhibition-opens-in-st-andrews.html

Photos were taken by Ewan Bacell on the 16th of December in a Student Bar - Whey Pat in St Andrews... That's us playing the games with the Go Club of St Andrews University!

Who are Fife Contemporary Art & Craft?

Founded in 1977, Crawford Arts Centre was a major art venue in Fife area until it was reformed to the new agency - Fife Contemporary Art & Craft (FCA&C) in 2006. Funded by Scottish Arts Council and Fife Council, the new agency with charitable status curates and delivers exhibitions and projects across Fife with a wide range of partners including the Fife Museums. FCA&C aims to present the highest quality of contemporary visual art and craft activities to the widest possible public across Fife, with a significance extending to the rest of Scotland, to the UK and EC. FCA&C is also providing new means of supporting the development and networking of artists and makers based in Fife.

The exhibition HOTPOT [art, food & people] is curated by Fife Contemporary Art & Craft in collaboration with Scottish Arts Council funded Trainee Curator Tonia Lu. The Venue - St Andrews Museum's Kinburn Gallery - is one of the key exhibition venue partners of Fife Contemporary Art & Craft in which FCA&C usually organises 2 exhibitions each year.

For more information about FCA&C, please visit: http://www.fcac.co.uk/

Food and Our Emotions

Ever since the theme of the exhibition was decided, I have been doing some research on 'Can food influence us purely emotionally?' e.g. if we are happen when eating certain food, is it just because we love the food because of the taste? or is it that the food physically influenced us? Maybe it will go back to the question that can happiness/pleasure be totally separated from our physics.

And here are some articles that I found interesting:
How food starves our love relationships
http://www.thebodyimagecenter.com/uploads/How_food_starves_our_love_relationships.pdf
By Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, LGPC and Andrew Walen, LGSW
Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, LGPC, is a Certified IMAGO Relationship Therapist with the Pastora Counseling and Consultation Centers of Greater Washington. To learn more about Rabbi Slatkin’s practice, visit www.jewishmarriagecounseling.com.
Andrew Walen, LGSW, is a psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders, body image, emotional eating, and bariatric surgery patients and founder of The Body Image Therapy Center. To learn more about his practice, visit www.thebodyimagecenter.com.

Emotional Influences on Food Choice: Sensory, Physiological and Psychological Pathways (2006)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T0P-4JHMFM0-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1153508756&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=5d5c698baeb7450cfc0cc85d78a63056
By Edward Leigh Gibson

Stress & Food Choice: A Laboratory Study (2000)
http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/abstract/62/6/853
By Georgina Oliver; Jane Wardle & E. Leigh Gibson

Food Deprivation and Emotional Reaction to Food Cues: Implications for Eating Disorders (2001)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11454438
By David J. Drobes et al.