Exhibitions & Events: Dovecot Studios

Baths to Bobbins 10 years at Infirmary Street
From 29 March 2018

The Infirmary Street Baths were the first public baths in Edinburgh, built in 1885 by Robert Morham. Following the enactment in 1846 to Encourage the Establishment of Public Baths and Wash-houses, baths were built in Scotland from the 1850s to provide accessible washing facilities to improve public health. Until the 1870s women had to attend at different times from men. In the Ladies Baths space at Dovecot, we see an example of their needs being considered in the building design.

Dovecot was originally located at the site of the Corstorphine Castle, before moving in 2008 to Infirmary Street following a 2 year renovation and restoration project of the former Victorian baths building.

Celebrating 10 years of weaving in the Infirmary Street Baths, Dovecot will share some memories on the Tapestry Studio Viewing Balcony. The display titled Baths to Bobbins will explore memories of those who attended the Baths, the stories of the old Studio in Corstorphine, the saving of the Infirmary Street building and its conversion to a modern tapestry studio.

Screen for Another Focus | David Penny

25 May 2018 to 11 July 2018

As part of the 10-year anniversary of Dovecot’s new life at the old Infirmary Street Baths, Edinburgh, artist David Penny has created an exhibition of photography and video work interpreting the extraordinary craftsmanship of the weavers at Dovecot Tapestry Studio. Penny is interested in the materiality of objects and the aesthetics of technology as well as the actions of the body.

The project comprises images, which offer a focus on the forms, gestures and structures of the process of weaving and suggests parallels between the disciplines of photography and tapestry.

From footage and frames collected during a period of visits to Dovecot during 2017, this work sheds new light on the exceptional craftsmanship and making in Scotland.

Events 
Dovecot Behind the Scenes Tour
10:15 on 7 March 2018

Join one of the Dovecot team for a special tour of the building. Starting with an exclusive visit to the Weaving Floor and Balcony, you will learn about current projects on the looms and tufting frames, as well as the restoration of the Infirmary Street Baths. The tour ends with a guided visit to the new exhibition.

Tickets £25

Picasso to Warhol – Artist Textiles talk
11:30 on 17 March 2018

Join Dovecot’s Director Celia Joicey and New Lanark Exhibitions Officer Evelyn Whitelaw for an insightful talk on the exhibition Artist Textiles: Picasso to Warhol, at New Lanark until 29 April 2018.

Learn about the important objects in the exhibition, what was involved in bringing them to Scotland and how during the 20th century ordinary people were able to engage with modern art in a personal and intimate way through their clothing and home furnishings.

Trace the history of 20th century art in textiles at this talk featuring the work of Georges Braque, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dalí, Sonia Delaunay, Raoul Dufy, Barbara Hepworth, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso, Ben Nicholson and Andy Warhol.

All event attendees will receive 10% discount at Dovecot Shop during their visit.

Voyage Tour and Handling Session with Dovecot Exhibitions Curator Kate Grenyer
10:30 on 10 April 2018

Join Dovecot’s Curator Kate Grenyer for a private tour of Voyage with an opportunity to discuss the Studio’s ongoing collaboration with Garry Fabian Miller. The tour will end with a handling session that illuminates the making of the Voyage tapestry, followed by tea and coffee courtesy of Dovecot Café by Leos. Tickets £15

How to vist Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh

Text & images: With thanks to Dovecot Studios
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