9 February 2007

`Shotgun Wedding’ - new exhibition examines the Union of 1707

A new video installation from the University of Dundee examining the Union of 1707 and many of the issues surrounding it opens tomorrow (February 9th) at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

‘Shotgun Wedding’, by Tracy Mackenna and Edwin Janssen, has been developed to mark the tercentenary of the Treaty of Union, which in 1707 joined Scotland and England to create the United Kingdom.

The inspiration for the installation was sparked by the research for the book `The Scots and the Union’, by Professor Christopher Whatley, Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Arts & Social Sciences at the University.

During the research and development stage Mackenna and Janssen collaborated with Professor Whatley.

Social, political and religious conflicts that run through the history of Scotland and Britain are explored in the series of six video projections which make up `Shotgun Wedding’.

A selection of paintings, drawings, and engravings from the National Galleries of Scotland's collection, including depictions of the key figures and events, has been filmed to produce this video installation, which shows the relevance of the Union in both its historical and contemporary context. Further material was sourced in collections and archives in Britain and the Netherlands.

Tracy Mackenna, Head of the School of Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone, and Edwin Janssen, MFA Programme Director, School of Fine Art, have worked collaboratively since 1997. Their interests include issues around cultural identity, the politics of display and the notion of place.

`Shotgun Wedding’ is supported by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council and School of Fine Art Research, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee.

It will be at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery until 6th May 2007. A publication on the work is due out in May.

A series of lectures will accompany the exhibition. Amongst others -
Shotgun Wedding: Artists’ talk
Wednesday 28th February, 12.45 - 1.30pm. Free.
Hawthornden lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland
Artists Tracy Mackenna and Edwin Janssen will talk about their multi-screen video installation at the Portrait Gallery based on the Union of 1707 between Scotland and England, and will discuss the Union’s contemporary relevance.

Re-writing the History of the Union: Obstacles, Objections and Opportunities
Tuesday 27th March, 12.45 - 1.30pm. Free.
Hawthornden lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland
Christopher Whatley’s new book, The Scots and the Union, challenges much conventional wisdom on the Union of 1707. Professor Whatley will explain why he was drawn to the subject, the difficulties presented by writing this kind of history in Scotland, what was lacking in the existing literature, and why he has come to the conclusion he has.

For further information contact Edwin Janssen on 0785 230 0383

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk