The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Crafty way to put on art show
Degree students take designs online
Tens of thousands of people have been joining Aberdeen art students online in a massive virtual celebration of their work.
Each year the Gray’s School of Art degree show draws the crowds to showcase stunning exhibits.
While coronavirus scuppered it this year the art school was determined the “rite of passage” should continue.
The collaborative online show that this year replaces the traditional event is the result of a huge effort.
“I am so proud of everyone involved in this project”
And thousands have visited the virtual degree show over the past week.
On July 12, just two days into the show, there had already been more than 44,000 hits on the site and numbers have grown ever since.
It had been clear to art school bosses from the moment lockdown was introduced in March that creative thinking would be needed.
Understanding that a physical showpiece was all but impossible, they worked closely with arts body Look Again and design agency Design and Code, while also consulting students.
Together they have pulled together a virtual space, decorated entirely as students have seen fit.
With funding from the Robert Gordon University (RGU) to build the experience, guests have been invited to “walk” around a virtual quad, tune into live DJ sets and attend webinars and Q&A sessions, before then enjoying the exhibitions.
Libby Curtis, head of Gray’s School of Art said it took months of work by dedicated students and staff to bring together.
She said: “Not having a degree show wasn’t an option. It is a rite of passage for the students and they deserve the chance to show off their incredible hard work.
“Everyone has been forced to adapt and innovate and what we have come up with is something that has truly humbled me.
“Both Look Again and Design and Code employ a number of alumni from our art school and understood the vision we were trying to create.
“Everyone has worked tirelessly to see this vision come together. It is a display we can all be very proud of.”
The show finishes tonight with an online party and live DJ sets hosted for the students and those attending.
A conventional exhibition should return in 2021 but the school has been so delighted with the online version it is possible it may run alongside the usual showcase in years to come.
Ms Curtis added: “I am so proud of everyone involved in this project. We wouldn’t have put it on if we didn’t think it was going to be the best it could be.
“Students had to do without their regular work spaces and equipment and they have adapted so well and produced some brilliant work.
“It has given us so many ideas as a school to push forward and utilise new technologies.”
While proud of the school’s achievement, Ms Curtis was keen to stress that, going forward, teaching art studies online would not be a sustainable model.
And it is hoped teaching can resume in September.
Meanwhile, RGU has been named second in Scotland for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey.
It had an 89.96% overall student satisfaction rating – a new highest score for the second year running.