City Art Centre
Address 2 Market Street

Connections 2000

Although ideas are now changing, since the mid-1960's, Art Nouveau has had a bad press. It was decorative, and to 'modern art' that was passe and decadent. However, in the 1900's, Art Nouveau was just that: 'new'. Although it derived inspiration from Folk Art, Islam, Japanese, Rococo and the Morris and Ruskin vision that art should be useful as well as decorative and accessible to all, its whiplash motifs and flowing organic forms were quite original.

This is a very comprehensive exhibition of Mucha's work. The third floor is devoted to his posters, which elegant though they are, are somewhat repetitive of beautiful, seductive females and natural elements; not a flaw being visible in any. The fourth floor houses more extensive oeuvres including painting, furniture and jewelry designs as well as studies and photographs pertaining to the Slavic Epic - 20 huge canvases depicting reality, legend and symbolism of the history of the Slavic people from early times. There is also a very good video of Mucha's life and work.

If you are at all interested in Art Nouveau, this exhibition is a must.


Tickets; £4.00 (for 4 exhibitions) concessions: £2.50 Monday-Saturday 10.00-18.00, Sunday 12.00-17.00 Till September 30th 2000.

Richard DeMarco - The Road to Meikle Seggie

However you view him, as a great showman or egocentric self-promoter, one thing is certain about Richard DeMarco - you cannot ignore him. This tirelessly enthusiastic player on the international arts stage has had a multi-faceted career as a champion of the avant-garde, beginning with the foundation in l963 of the Traverse Theatre and Gallery, and in l966 of the original DeMarco Gallery.

His career is chronicled in a series of archive photographs with handwritten annotations, titled the Road to Meikle Seggie. Part mystic, part real, it signifies the many journeys of artistic exploration and discovery he has made in the course of his career, using what appears to be small black-and-white photographs from the family album (if you are short-sighted take your glasses!)

Probably of more general interest, is the part of the exhibition created by Kingston University to honour DeMarco's tenure there as Professor of European Culture.

One hundred and twenty artists, influenced by DeMarco, were invited to submit artworks in units of seven. There is something for everyone - beautiful seascapes in a continuing sequence with undulating waves - seven photos bound up in string - simple line drawings of the female figure. This is visually exciting and well worth a visit.

The Time - Mon - Sat l0 - 6p.m.
The Price - Admission to all four Exhibitions
Adults £4 Children/Concessions £2.50.
Season Ticket unlimited repeat visits £7.50.
Family Tickets (for 4 people - min. 2 children ) £9


'Sea change'. William McTaggart (1835-1910) and John Bellany (b 1942)

A small exhibition of two of Scotland's best known painters. Both derive inspiration from the sea, its creatures and human presence- myths and imagery. Colour is highly significant for both. There is an interesting contrast between McTaggart's hazy, loosely sketched realistic landscapes and Bellany's more tortured expressive paintings. Worth a visit is you are interested in either painter. The Place: City Arts Centre till 30th September

The Times: Open Mon to Sat 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12noon to 5pm

The Price: £4, concession £2.50.

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