Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School of Art--August 12

The Arts and Crafts Movement of the later 1800's through the Art Noveau to the Art Deco movements of the early 20th C. are styles I enjoy immensely.  I am drawn to the architecture, to the practical and decorative objects and the philosophy.

Clearly, Glasgow is one of my artistic homes.  The city has reached pinnacles in these related styles, all exemplified by the Glasgow School of Art,  The central building of GSA was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and built over several decades spanning my much loved art styles.  It is not a static institution--it has a 1970's "brutalist" building of cast concrete and now has an even newer building opened during the last year and built in current architectural style. (I am not sure if the current style has a name.)

Sadly, the famous Mackintosh Building burned last spring, just before the student show destroying half the building and most of the student work.  My visit could not include a tour of the famous library or other parts of the old building--it is totally closed for restoration.  When Nancy, Kitty and I were here in 2005, we did tour the building so I can recall many of the beautiful room and detail.

On the bright side, all the plans exist, multiple photos exist, so the building can be and will be restored as it was before the fire but with updated wiring and other important 21st C. features.

Mackintosh Building on the right. The west end under scaffolding burned.
The building on the right is the newest building, the Reid Bldg, opened last year.

Mackintosh was a junior staffer at the firm which won the design competition for the new building in 1897.  His wining design was firmly grounded in the Arts and Crafts Movement which was much appreciated in the GSA at the time.  The underlying philosophy of the movement stressed the beauty of utilitarian objects and the belief that the common person should have access to and be enriched by beautiful design.  Thus the building and its interior fittings reflected that belief.  This philosophy fits in well in Glasgow--a city which respects labor and the common man.

These two photos show the main door and the windows just east of the door.  The details of the light fixtures, fence, windows and ironwork show the attention to detail of the whole environment which was carried out inside as well.  The building is made of locally quarried sandstone.  Respect for the intrinsic properties of materials is another philosophical principle of the movement which also carried on through to the mid-20th C. in the school buildings and the school teachings.  The building was built from east to west as money was raised.  Over the period, Mackintosh's designs moved into Art Noveau and Art Deco so the west end, now burned was stylistically different though related to the east end.

Come back in five years.  It will be ready for your visit, restored to all its former glory.

In the meantime, the school continues to educate students in all aspects of art and design.  The newest building, the Reid Building, is directly across the street to the north.  It is a contrast in some ways stylistically and I was fully prepared to dislike the building.  But, wrong... I liked it very much and came to appreciate that much of its underlying approach reflected Mackintosh's approach.

This building uses concrete, stone and glass to manage light and space in much the way Mackintosh approached the same tasks.  To outward apperances, very different buildings but upon closer looks, similarities.

The outer shell of the building is primarily an opaque glass wall with windows of the same tone. Light from both the windows and walls suffuses the interior.

The interior is primarily reserved for student use but some areas are accessible.  We were able to enter and go up to the 3rd floor for a display of Mackintosh-designed furniture.

The first photo here shows the main stairway, railings and one of the major light shafts.  The use of light, curves, and angles shows well in this photo.  The use of greenish glass for the stair rails and balcony rails shows better in person.

This photo is taken from above, looking down three floors through one of the circular light shafts to one of the spaces for students to meet, confer, whatever.  The windows in the shafts and other interior, but not exterior windows are of this style with the top narrower than the bottom.  The primary arts taught in this building have to do with computer ad electronic design, media presentation.




While many of the decorative items and furniture were destroyed in the fire, some remained.  A few key examples are on display in the Reid building for tour groups.

The top photo shows a cabinet about 8 feet wide and 6 tall. The second photo is a detail from the doors showing the stylistic rose which has become a hallmark of Mackintosh design and is used frequently in decorative objects.  The cabinet is of oak and originally had shelves in the lower spaces.
The roses are leaded glass.  It was designed and build in about 1900 showing the transition between more rectilinear Arts and Crafts style and later Art Noveau.

This chair is of the same era-1899.  The chair was designed by Mackintosh but for the Willow Tea Room, a nearby business for which he designed the interior and fittings.

The Willow Tea Room still exists and still serves delicious afternoon tea. It is just a few blocks away from the GSA--perfect for after-tour tea.  Notice the detail in the balcony with upright railings balanced by horizontal design in the walls and windows behind.  A calming, peaceful room.

Delicious old-fashioned food too.  My lunch: leek and potato soup with oat cakes.  Fresh ground coffee. (I just can't get with tea so the good coffee is much appreciated.)



AND  Lemon Meringue Pie for dessert,  Yay!  My first in Scotland.
Excellent.  Made in little individual pie shells; sweet, tart, served with cream.  I am channeling Ballintoy, Northern Ireland.  Great stuff.