Lighthouse
Jacqueline
O’ Sullivan visits The Lighthouse, the
building that resurrects Glasgow’s past for
Glasgow’s future.
Nestled in a quiet lane between two main streets is the original home of Glasgow’s broadsheet – The Herald newspaper. But this is not the main reason why people are curious about this building, which was Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s first public commission.
The Herald’s offices – the walls of which were once party to the scandalous secrets of a thriving media environment - moved to Albion Street many moons ago and Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s artistic heritage can be seen in a multitude of city centre locations.
For fifteen years this grandiose edifice has lain empty, but now it is again stirring up a storm of interest since it has triumphantly re-emerged as one of the centrepieces of Glasgow 1999, the celebrations which mark Glasgow’s year as UK City of Architecture and Design.
And what a centrepiece it is. Mackintosh’s original structure has been retained. Around it modernity has been added, emphasising and building on the architect’s original vision. Old and new are merged to stunning visual effect.
The Lighthouse is a unique cultural resource aimed at making architecture and design accessible to all. Glasgow, which already enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in design across many disciplines, is the perfect place to locate such a resource.
As one of the largest temporary exhibition venues for architecture and design in Europe, it offers plenty of space within the four main temporary exhibition galleries to ensure that design innovations from the past, present and future are all represented.
That the Lighthouse is a distinctive gallery is immediately obvious to the visitor. From the pillar-box red version of the new Beetle car casually parked in the foyer to the snaking white reception desk, you can tell it isn’t your run-of-the-mill cultural centre.
The first gallery space is reserved for thematically based and issue-led exhibitions of international scale. Three exhibitions will be held here each year. The concrete floors, bare brick walls and plastered ceilings cultivate an industrial feel.
In the future, organisers envisage new technologies playing an important part in the work presented in this area. New innovative approaches will be pursued through the use of multi-media, video projections and virtual reality.
Our future pioneers of design and architecture will welcome an opportunity to introduce their bold new ideas one floor up in the Young Designers’ Gallery. Exhibitions will highlight project work produced at The Lighthouse as well as through local, national and international projects.
As he created the structure
itself, it is only appropriate that the one
permanent exhibition in The Lighthouse pays
tribute to Glasgow’s most famous
architect-designer. The Mackintosh Interpretation
Centre documents Charles Rennie’s most
famous work and the lasting influence he has had
on everything from architecture to furniture and
fabrics to prints.
The visually stunning time line wall is constructed in glass. White lights shine through the glass, spotlighting illustrations of his many works. The presentation of his achievements, influences and relationships in their social and cultural context, as well as the use of interactive displays and kiosks, present the man and his work together for the first time.
At the back of this room is a spiral stone staircase which snakes up to the Mackintosh tower. Part of the original 1985 design, this feature is the perfect place from which to take in an aerial view of Glasgow.
The top two Galleries lie between the Mackintosh Interpretation Centre and the Mackintosh Tower. For the first major exhibition at The Lighthouse these two floors are dedicated to helping visitors discover Glasgow’s forgotten architectural genius.
Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson played as important a part in shaping the city’s appearance as Charles Rennie Mackintosh. He has never received the international recognition attained by his fellow designer. Until now, that is.
Above all, The Lighthouse demonstrates excellence, creativity and innovation, and makes it accessible to all by focusing on young up-and-coming designers, spotlighting those who’ve been sidelined and introducing the public to new pioneers.
The
Lighthouse
Charlotte House
78 Queen Street
Glasgow
G1 3DN
Opening
Hours
Mon: Wed, Fri, Sat 10.30-6.00
Tues: 11.00-6.00
Thursday: 10.30-8.00
Sunday 12.00-5.00
Admission
Temporary Exhibitions
Throughout Glasgow 1999: UK City of Architecture
and Design the
temporary exhibitions will be FREE
Mackintosh Interpretation Centre
Adults £2.50
Children £1.50
Concessions £2.00
School Groups: FREE
Please book through the Education Centre
Please note entry is FREE every Tuesday
Tel: 0141 221 6362
Fax: 0141 221 6395
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.thelighthouse.co.uk
For
further information about events for Glasgow 1999
visit:
www.glasgow1999.co.uk
