Tiffany Boyle reviews the publication 'The Inventors of Tradition II,' discussing memories of childhood competitive gymnastics, uniform, belonging through dress and local design histories.
The Inventors of Tradition II is published by Koenig Books, £38, and is distributed worldwide. It is sold in Scotland through www.wearepanel.co.uk and selected bookshops.
Essay contributions are from Michael Bracewell, Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt, Fiona Jardine, Juliet Kinchin, Mason Leaver-Yap, Mairi MacKenzie, Ray McKenzie, Bernie Reid, Rebecca Wober and Linsey Young. These give insights to 1980s football casual style and culture, perfume scents and their social significance, Glasgow’s cultural policy, city branding, the architect Peter Womersley, his friend and fabric designer Bernat Klein, filmmaker Murray Grigor and artist Gerald Laing. Interviews with Jill Bryson from 1980s new wave duo Strawberry Switchblade, choreographer and dancer Ellen Van Schuylenburch and Mockintosh jeweller Eric Michael. Archive photography and photographic compositions by Kimberley O’Neill and Eileen Quinlan with Jack Miskell.
The publication was launched at The Art School (Glasgow School of Art Student Association building) on Wednesday 30 November 2016. The launch included a recreated performance-installation by Jill Bryson of Strawberry Switchblade, inspired by her 1981 degree show work.
The Inventors of Tradition II is a project by Atelier E.B and Panel. An exhibition took place at the Palace of Art from 2–30 May 2015 and was conceived in partnership with the Palace of Art and Steff Norwood. A special programme of events connected to the exhibition included the work of acclaimed film director Murray Grigor and four performances of the dance piece ‘O YES’, a recreation of ‘Yes O Yes’ from the production I Am Curious, Orange, 1988, by Michael Clark.
