Over the festive break our Visual Arts Curator, Eilidh McCormick got the chance to visit the newly opened Collective exhibition space in Edinburgh, and she recommends you do the same.

Collective has existed since 1984 and in November 2018 they opened their new home on Calton Hill, featuring the restored City Observatory, City Dome, and a purpose-built exhibition space.

One of the inaugural exhibitions currently on show is that of Dineo Seshee Bopape, our 2015 Visual Art Scholars whose work came together through her ROSL residency at Hospitalfield. From South Africa, Dineo’s expansive multi-media practice explores memory, narration, and representation as contingent forms. Her installation Affinity and Allusion at Collective was created in relation to the history of the City Observatory site on Calton Hill, considering notions of spirituality, cosmology, astronomy and astrology. The work transforms the restored City Dome, exploiting its unusual shape and the features it presents. 

All the buildings on top of the hill are beautifully restored with historic artefacts and art in each space, a lively restaurant and striking views across the city. A visit is well worth the hike, and with no parking, brace yourself for the climb (or get a taxi to the door!). Only open until 10 February, so if you'd like to see her work, be quick!

Visit the Collective website to find out more about upcoming exhibitions.

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