3 August 2022 — Announcement

UK Premiere and Scottish cinema tour for Alberta Whittle’s new film Lagareh – The Last Born

Image: Alberta Whittle, Lagareh – The Last Born, (film still – single channel video), 2022. Photographer Jaryd Niles-Morris, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist, Scotland+Venice, and Forma.

Tuesday 20 Sept 2022 – Wednesday 1 March 2023

Scotland + Venice and LUX Scotland, with support from Art Fund, are delighted to announce the UK Premiere and Scottish cinema tour of Alberta Whittle’s new film, Lagareh – The Last Born, at venues across Scotland between September 2022 and March 2023.

Commissioned by Scotland + Venice and Forma, the film’s Scottish screenings in Glasgow (Glasgow Film Theatre, Tuesday 20 September), Inverness (Eden Court, October), Lerwick (Mareel, November), Aberdeen (Belmont Filmhouse, January 2023), Skye (Broadford Town Hall, February 2023) and Ayr (Ayr Town Hall, March 2023), will take place simultaneous to its presentation as part of Whittle’s critically acclaimed current exhibition, deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory, at the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, showing there until November 2022. The Scottish cinema tour is programmed by LUX Scotland with support from Art Fund.

The film invites audiences to pause and reflect on the damage being caused through the legacies of colonialism, present day policing and inadequate systems of incarceration. At a time in history when we have to challenge global injustices, Lagareh creates a space for conversation, for collective hope, healing, and reconciliation.

The full Venice exhibition will return to Scotland in Spring 2023 for the recently announced major presentation of Whittle’s work to the National Galleries of Scotland.

At each event invited speakers will respond to one of the key themes running through the work exploring ideas of memory, space, movement, resistance, sound, and storytelling.

Amanda Catto, Chair of the Scotland + Venice partnership said: “The Scotland + Venice partnership is delighted to bring this major new film by Alberta Whittle to audiences across Scotland. Lagareh is a deeply affective work that draws attention to the racial injustices, violence and death experienced by Black people in the past and the present day.  It speaks powerfully of love, family and hope despite the anger, outrage and hurt that it holds.

“The film is part of a larger exhibition that Scotland is currently presenting at the Venice Biennale. Audiences in Venice have been deeply moved and impacted by the work and this screening tour is an open invitation to people from across the country to experience this significant work first hand.

“We’re honoured to be working with the artist and our partners in LUX Scotland to ensure as many people as possible see the film ahead of  Alberta’s major solo show opening at the National Galleries of Scotland next Spring.”

Kitty Anderson, Director, LUX Scotland, said: “We are thrilled to present Alberta Whittle’s work Lagareh – the Last Born in collaboration with our partners and collaborators, and to share it with a wide range of audiences across Scotland, following the incredible reception it received in Venice. We also look forward to contextualising Alberta’s wider practice with a series of accompanying conversations that expand on the themes that run through her work.

“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Alberta since she was awarded the Margaret Tait Award in 2018 and we very much look forward to returning to Glasgow Film Theatre – where her commission between a whisper and a cry premiered in 2019 – for the Scottish premiere of her wonderful new work for Scotland + Venice this September.

“The tour comprises six events across Scotland and includes our long-term partners and some brilliant new collaborators, demonstrating LUX Scotland’s commitment to presenting, and contextualising, artists’ moving image, in a range of geographically diverse locations.”

Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund, said: “This screening tour will bring Alberta Whittle’s eloquent and multi-layered film to audiences across Scotland; continuing to include and empower viewers as it has been doing at the Venice Biennale.

“The tour will enable as many people as possible to view and enjoy this important work. It is thanks to our members that Art Fund can help share the best of contemporary art, like this, across the country.”

Background

Scottish Screening Tour

  • Glasgow Film Theatre: Tuesday 20 September 2022
  • Eden Court, Inverness: Thursday 27 October 2022
  • Mareel, Shetland Arts, Lerwick: Sunday 27 November 2022
  • Belmont Filmhouse, Aberdeen: Wednesday 25 January 2023
  • Broadford Town Hall in partnership with ATLAS Arts, Isle of Skye: Saturday 11 February 2023
  • Ayr Town Hall in partnership with South Ayrshire Council Museums and Galleries: Wednesday 1 March 2023

Tickets for all screenings are free, with wheelchair accessible tickets available. The film is captioned and all discussion will be live captioned.

For full details and how to book: https://luxscotland.org.uk/news/alberta-whittle-lagareh-the-last-born-scotland-venice-screening-tour

Twitter: @LUXScotland

Facebook: @lux.scotland

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Scotland + Venice is a major international project designed to promote the best of contemporary art and architecture from Scotland on the world stage. Founded in 2003, the project supports the development of new work, fosters international connections and exchange and positions Scotland as a vibrant place for creative and culture production. Scotland + Venice is a partnership between Creative Scotland, British Council Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland, Architecture and Design Scotland, V&A Dundee and the Scottish Government with funding support from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

scotlandandvenice.com

LUX Scotland is a non-profit agency dedicated to supporting, developing and promoting artists’ moving image practices in Scotland. Working at the intersection of the contemporary visual arts and film sectors, its core activities include public exhibition and touring projects, learning and professional development for artists and arts professionals, distribution, commissioning and production support, research and sector advocacy. From its offices based in Glasgow, it works with a growing network of national and international partners, including museums, contemporary art organisations, film festivals and educational institutions, to deliver its programme. Established in 2014, LUX Scotland is a part of LUX and is supported by Creative Scotland.

luxscotland.org.uk

Art Fund is the national fundraising charity for art. It provides millions of pounds every year to help museums to acquire and share works of art across the UK, further the professional development of their curators, and inspire more people to visit and enjoy their public programmes. Art Fund is independently funded, supported by Art Partners, donors, trusts and foundations and the 130,000 members who buy the National Art Pass, who enjoy free entry to over 240 museums, galleries and historic places, 50% off major exhibitions, and receive Art Quarterly magazine. Art Fund also supports museums through its annual prize, Art Fund Museum of the Year.

artfund.org

Media Contact

Sophie Bambrough, Media Relations & PR Officer, Creative Scotland

[email protected]  / +44 (0)7747 606 146