Riverside Museum

BY BURCIN MERTCAN

courtesy of http://construction-manager.co.uk/news/

Glasgow’s Riverside Museum is the UK’s newest and most exciting visitor attraction, home to the transport, engineering and shipbuilding legacy that made Glasgow great.

The Riverside Museum is an architectural masterpiece, designed by British-Iraqi, Zaha Hadid. Her company was picked from 140 submissions to build the £74 million Riverside Museum. The 74 million museum is Hadid’s first major public commission to open in Glasgow and 18 months later there will be another great master work will be opening – the new aquatics centre for the 2012 Olympics.

Visitors will be struck by the stunning displays, packed with fascinating exhibits, high-tech and hands-on interactions and inspiring moving stories. You’ll be able to walk down the re-created 1900s street, drive a locomotive and tackle a tenement fire, with more than 3,000 objects on display, there is something for everyone of all ages.

Outside, The Tall Ship Glenlee is moored in front of the museum creating a dramatic and iconic international destination. The Glenlee is one of only five Clyde-built sailing vessels afloat in the world today and the only one in the UK.

Councillor Gordon Matherson, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said “Glasgow’s history as an industrial giant, a global leader in engineering and shipbuilding, is celebrated is am architectural masterpiece which shows that we remain at the cutting edge of design and technology.”

Zaha Hadid said “The history of Glasgow is profoundly interlinked with the history of the Clyde, and together they have informed the museum’s design. I wanted the building to reflect the importance of its location and allow for the innovative and inspirational display of its outstanding collection. The fluid design continues Glasgow’s rich engineering traditions; a true demonstration and celebration of the skills and passion of local engineers and contractors who helped to bring this building to life.”

The museum will open its doors to the public on 21st June 2011. Entry to Riverside Museum is free!

Kelvingrove’s first art sale helps funding new Riverside Museum

Charles Jamieson, Under Construction 2

Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery today opened its first art sale aiming to raise money to fund city’s new Riverside Museum, with a number of works already sold.

Until the 30^th of January next year, the exhibition will be selling works from 29 artists which were made especially for the show, and 50% of the sale price will be donated towards £74m Riverside Museum due to open next year.

The Riverside Museum is being constructed on the banks of the River Clyde to replace the Museum of Transport. The project, designed by much-acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid, aims to emphasis Glasgow’s stature as a city which has had a profound impact upon transport and technology.

The art sale, entitled ‘The River Runs Through It’, unofficially opened last night and as many as 14 artworks have already been sold for over £10,000. The show offers the chance to purchase art by some Scotland’s most established painters, including Peter Howson, Charles Jamieson and Adrian Wiszniewski.

Margaux Achard, one of the coordinators of the project, said: “The idea of the art sale was the result of a chat between the director of the Riverside Museum, Gavin McLellan, and an art journalist, Jan Patience. Charles Jamieson, who is one of the artists, supported the idea. The decision to approach different artists was made and resulted in 81 artworks. Now, the project proves to be a big success which will hopefully continue.”

Earlier this year, the artists made a trip to the construction site for Glasgow’s iconic transport museum. The exhibition is the painters’ response to the building and the idea of Glasgow’s industrial heritage.

The show provides a mix of 81 literal and abstract works, and aims to appeal to a wide range of people. Every buyer will be permanently recognised in the new museum as a donator.

The Riverside Museum Appeal, the public trust raising funds for the new building, is to receive a donation of cash from the Kelvingrove which will help to raise its target of £5m towards the cost of the museum. Glasgow City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund are other funders of the project.

The building work is currently on schedule to be completed in the immediate future, with the museum expected to be opened in early summer 2011.