If the word AGM conjures a formal corporate event in your mind, the Stove Network’s 2014 candle-lit annual general meeting was quite an alternative. Of all the unusual and surprising places which you might expect of artists, the AGM was organised underground, on the lowest floor of NCP Southergate car park at Shakespeare Street, and ran in conjunction with an exciting interactive  public art event Parking Spaces that took over the entire four stories for two days.

The Stovies set up round tables for the AGM attendees and arranged rows of cinema chairs (which proved handy as the event turnout was larger than expected!), brought in for the late night film screening.

The vast concrete space and tables were illuminated only by candles and some reflected light from the slideshow projector as the curatorial team talked about some prominent Dumfries and Galloway artistic projects ran by the Stove Network. The presentation was followed by a lively discussion/provocation about the new rules of public art, led by Stephen Pritchard.

Light dinner was served, the Scottish nourishing stovies, hah-hah. The break gave the attendees a chance to explore some art installations on other floors, get into the GabCab – a London taxi transformed into a mobile studio by  Mark  Lyken and Emma Dove – and simply catch up with friends. The Doonhame Derby rollerskater girls donned popcorn boxes as hats to play cinema usherettes.

After the break the Open Jar collection resumed the discussion about the role of public art in Dumfries using food-related metaphors (as indeed fit for the Stove), putting down their thoughts on the colourful cutouts of pots, jars and seasoning containers. The atmosphere was fun and sharing.

The evening ended with a popcorn cinema screening of How to Start a Revolution documentary about Gene Sharp, Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

The Stove Network 2014 AGM
The Stove Network AGM 2014
Curatorial team report at the Stove AGM
Matt Baker, the Stove curator, presents artistic project run by the network in Dumfries and Galloway
Reading the New Rules of Public Art in candle light
Reading the New Rules of Public Art in candle light
Mingling during the break at the Stove AGM 2014
Mingling during the break
Craig Patterson from Burns Cafe serves hot stovies from the back of a pick-up truck
Craig Patterson from Burns Cafe serves hot stovies from the back of a pick-up truck
Moxie, the Herand of the Stove, dons a zebra outfit to usher the attendees around
Moxie, the Herand of the Stove, dons a zebra outfit to usher the attendees around
Greeting friends
Greeting friends
Doonhame Derby rollerskaters fix popcorn boxes as headwear
Doonhame Derby rollerskaters fix popcorn boxes as headwear
Donnhame Derby girls posing with GabCab
Posing with the GabCab
Colin Tennant and Kate Anderson set up the projector
Colin Tennant and Kate Anderson set up the projector for the forthcoming presentation
During the Open Jar Collective debate
During the Open Jar Collective debate
Young Stovie sharing his thoughts about the future of public art in Dumfries
Young Stovie sharing his thoughts about the future of public art in Dumfries
Some ideas jotted down by the Stove members on food-related paper shapes
Some ideas jotted down by the Stove members on the food-shaped paper cutouts
The screening of How to Start a Revolution
The screening of How to Start a Revolution
Popcorn served to enhance the 'movie theatre' atmosphere
Popcorn served to enhance the ‘movie theatre’ atmosphere

Similar Posts