Glen Cinema Artistic Commission

Descriptions

Renfrewshire Council are seeking proposals from an artist (or a cultural organisation working with an artist) to create an important piece of permanent public art to commemorate 90 years since Paisley’s Glen Cinema Disaster, which happened on Hogmanay 1929. Paisley’s Glen Cinema Disaster was caused by a smoking film canister at the cinema on 31st December 1929 during a packed children’s matinee, where more than 1,000 children were present. The resulting panic and crush killed 69 children and injured 40, with a final death toll of 71 children. As a result of the disaster, the Cinematograph Act 1909 was amended to ensure that cinemas had more exits, that doors opened outwards and that they were fitted with push bars. A limitation was also placed on the capacity of cinemas. This is a significant opportunity for an artist with an interest in exploring ways to commemorate and tell often painful stories of loss through public art and sculpture. The artist will work closely with Renfrewshire Council to: - Commemorate and raise awareness of the Glen Cinema disaster, of its victims, survivors and their families, and impact locally and across the world (Cinematographic Act 1909). - Collaborate with local people – remaining survivors, families of survivors, local community including older groups and schools, enabling them to contribute to the event. - Create an original public art work within Paisley town centre that provides a lasting commemoration and that is developed with relevant groups. It is anticipated that the contract will commence on the 29th November 2019 and will expire on the 30th September 2020. In the event that the contract does not commence on 29th November 2019, the contract period shall run from the actual date of commencement as stated in the Letter of Acceptance.