Mad about Mackintosh

Barcelona has Gaudí, Chicago has Frank Lloyd Wright, and Glasgow has the Art Nouveau magic of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Mackintosh (1868 – 1928) was born in Glasgow and went on to be one of the most creative figures of the 20th century and a leading figure in the European Art Nouveau movement.

The Mackintosh 100 celebrations pay homage both to the 100th anniversary of the completion of The Glasgow School of Art – considered to be Mackintosh’s masterpiece – as well as Scotland’s first ever Homecoming year with a packed programme of special themed events during 2009.

Over 100 events will take place across twelve venues, including exhibitions, workshops, talks and tours. The Mackintosh 100 programme will build up to the centenary celebrations of The Glasgow School of Art, in November and highlights include:

• The Mackintosh Experience Bus Tour
Glasgow’s first audio city bus tour exploring Mackintosh’s legacy will begin this summer. The Mackintosh Experience Bus Tour will operate as a hop-on, hop-off service between the 22nd May and 30th September 2009. A new audio tour of the city plays between stops. Prepared by Mackintosh experts, the audio bus tour provides a new way to understand Mackintosh and his contemporaries in the context of Glasgow’s cityscape and landmarks. The tour is free for children under five and £8 for adults.

• Mackintosh Walking Tours
The Lighthouse - Scotland's Centre for Architecture, Design and the City - is the starting point for a Glasgow city centre walking tour about the architecture of Mackintosh and his contemporaries. Organised by the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, the tour starts at The Lighthouse and finishes at The Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street. The tour will take place on various dates throughout June and September.

• The Glasgow School of Art Degree Show
The annual Glasgow School of Art Degree Show (13th – 21st June) is a significant art event in the city. Final year work from Fine Art, Architecture and Design students can be seen in all areas of the School including the acclaimed Mackintosh Building.

• Visions of Mackintosh
Visions of Mackintosh is a four-day, all-inclusive hotel and group tour package to the city, which promises to immerse visitors in Mackintosh’s legacy and The Glasgow Style. Forthcoming dates for 2009 are 30th July, 18th August, 11th September, 11th October and 18th October 2009 respectively. Based at the Best Western Glasgow Pond Hotel, the tours cost £400 per person - excluding travel to Glasgow and single supplement.

• Objects in Focus
Every two weeks from August until December Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum will host a series of short gallery talks, which will look in detail at a work or group of works on display in its stunning Mackintosh and Glasgow Style Gallery.

• The Mackintosh Church Exhibition
The Mackintosh Church at Queen’s Cross marks its 110th year in September with an exhibition running from 7th September – December.

• Mackintosh and The Glasgow School of Art
This exhibition at The Hunterian Art Gallery and drawn from its unrivalled Mackintosh Collection, explores the architect’s involvement with The Glasgow School of Art through designs, period photographs and archival material (16th September – 8th January 2010)

• Centenary Exhibition – Mackintosh Gallery at Glasgow School of Art
This exhibition, which takes place from 27th November – 10th January 2010, launches The Glasgow School of Art’s six-month celebration of the centenary of the completion of the Mackintosh Building. Comprising work by staff and students teaching and attending the school at the time the building opened in December 1909, it will be a chance to view rarely seen paintings, drawings and textiles from the School’s own Archive and Collections Centre, as well as pieces from Glasgow Museums, Hunterian and Aberdeen Art Galleries collections. A book will be launched to accompany the exhibition.

These all join the popular Mackintosh Trail ticket, which for £12 will give you unlimited travel on the Subway as well as First’s bus service in Greater Glasgow, and includes entry to all participating Mackintosh attractions in and around the city. The ticket is valid for journeys beginning between 9.30am and 11.59pm, Monday to Friday, and all daytime services on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. See glasgowmuseums.com for more details.

Jim Mather MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism said: “Mackintosh 100 is a valuable addition to the ever-expanding programme of Homecoming events, and a great way to celebrate the centenary of The Mackintosh Building of the Glasgow School of Art.

“Homecoming 2009 is shaping up to be a great success. With over 300 events and activities taking place across the country celebrating Burns and some of Scotland's other great contributions to the world, there will be something for everyone.

Bailie Liz Cameron, Vice-Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said “Mackintosh 100 forms part of the Mackintosh 5-year Development Plan, which will maximise the legacy of Glasgow’s greatest architectural and design icon in attracting additional visitors to the city.

“The diversity of the Mackintosh 100 programme, which features talks, tours and trips, will undoubtedly appeal to aficionados as well as those who are new to his creative genius.”

“Charles Rennie Mackintosh, our most internationally famous architect, has made significant contributions to the world and the influence of his work continues to inspire new generations of architects around the world today. I am sure those attending these events will enjoy the experience and will be inspired by the other world-class attractions that Glasgow, and Scotland, have to offer.”

Stuart Robertson, Chair of the Mackintosh Heritage Group, added: “Scotland has many unique cultural assets to attract visitors. Amongst its gems are the works of Mackintosh and his contemporaries. His designs have inspired creative people across the world. It is appropriate people have the opportunity to celebrate Mackintosh as part of Homecoming Scotland.”

For further information on Mackintosh 100, visit glasgowmackintosh.com.