VIDEO: An Appreciation of Glasgow School of Art

There have been a number of responses on social media to the tragic and devastating fire at the Glasgow School of Art.

I know it’s just a building but it’s history, it’s art, it’s architecture, it’s artists’ work and lives, it’s Glasgow. #glasgowschoolofart #Glasgow https://t.co/ZGhHINkK1J

— Amanda de Lussey (@toonmillie) June 15, 2018

Christopher Pitbladdo has put together a wonderful video of film about the Glasgow School of Art - in the past and during the recent renovation. It's probably the most coherent footage about the design, structure and interior of the GSA that exists - and it needs to be shared

As he says (on Saturday 16th June 2018)

I've been talking today with people who didn't know the #GSA very well, particularly the inside of the library. So I've thrown together a quick sequence of Mackintosh's building at its very best.

and

A short while ago, I was lucky enough to edit a documentary about Charles Rennie Mackintosh. When news filtered through of another fire in his masterpiece - the GSA - I quickly edited this collection of shots together as a memory of the building.

An Appreciation of Glasgow School of Art from Christopher Pitbladdo on Vimeo.

The documentary which he references was highlighted in yesterday's post Lachlan Goudie on Charles Rennie Mackintosh - on iPlayer.

Not sure how to manage my anger at the needless catastrophe of the GSA fire and now, the possible demolition. All I know is that as an artist, Mackintosh was one of the most determined and single minded visionaries the world has ever produced. pic.twitter.com/bU9Zu5cQMB

— Lachlan Goudie (@lachlangoudie) June 17, 2018

2. He would expect us to push our way through this miserable moment using the power of art and creativity. pic.twitter.com/azxGeJcmwI

— Lachlan Goudie (@lachlangoudie) June 17, 2018

These came up on my Fbook today as ‘memories’ of pics i took a few years ago 😢 @GLAMackintosh #Mackintosh150 #MackintoshBuilding @peoplemakeGLA @78Derngate #architecture @GSofA #GSofA #history #art #design #Glasgow #mackintoshfire @Glasgow_Live @GlasgowCC #Glasgowfire #hope pic.twitter.com/sPgv7740On

— john dyer (@wildswimmer67) June 18, 2018

Further comments on the fire

• Glasgow School of Art: sprinklers had not been fitted after first fire | The Guardian - I'm thinking Kier Construction are going to have some difficult questions to answer....

A spokesperson for the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association said it was understood that automatic fire sprinklers had not been fully fitted as the building was still undergoing refurbishment from the 2014 fire.“However, it should be realised that sprinklers can be fitted in buildings throughout construction on a temporary basis, as there is a considerable risk from fire during this period,” the association added.

• ‘The building as it was is gone for good’ – remembering the Glasgow School of Art | Apollo Magazine - which includes a great RIBA photo of the wall of the Library block

This all makes it sound like it is a real person who has died, and in a strange way that’s not far off. The sheer idiosyncrasy of the building, Mackintosh’s care and attention to detail, and its rich intellectual subtexts and simple vital presence gave it more personality – its own and its creator’s – than almost any building I’ve ever experienced.

• Glasgow School of Art fire: Mackintosh building future in balance | Times Higher Education
• Glasgow art school blaze: Fire chiefs 'guarantee' to find cause | BBC News - this includes one of those "before and after" photographic devices which shows the extent of the devastation

About the 2014 and 2018 Fires

• Major fire at Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art (May 2014)
• The Mac after the Fire - an Archive, an Appeal and guess WHO! (June 2014)
• Ash to Art - over £500k raised for Glasgow School of Art Fire Appeal (March 2017)
• ANOTHER Major Fire at Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art (June 2018)