Duets is the first solo exhibition in Scotland by Gabriel Schmitz. Curated specifically for the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, it runs 26 March – 1 May 2023 and features 20 new dance and drawing duets on canvas, paper and screen. Free and open daily 10am-6pm or late on show nights. Plan your visit now
Duets is an integral part of Pomegranates – the springtime festival initiated by the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland. Established in 2022 as part of Edinburgh Tradfest, Pomegranates returns in spring 2023 to once again sow the seeds of international traditional dance in Scotland and celebrate UNESCO’s International Dance Day (29 April).
Curated by Iliyana Nedkova and Wendy Timmons
Born in 1970 in Dortmund, Gabriel Schmitz is a visual artist who after graduating from Edinburgh College of Art, settled in Barcelona where he has lived and worked since the mid 1990s. In response to our curatorial invitation to undertake a residency at Pomegranates 2023 alongside trad musician Jon Bews and performance poet Ian McMillan, the artist said:
For me contemporary dance has always been an important source of inspiration because for a figurative painter to capture the subtle and profound language of a body in motion is at once the most challenging and the most rewarding task an artist can face. I am really looking forward to my residency at Pomegranates 2023 festival as it will allow me to engage with traditional dance for the first time in my practice. Gabriel Schmitz
For extended curatorial notes, exhibition checklist and an accompanying programme of performances, talks and tours, please DOWNLOAD the free exhibition leaflet now
Accompanying programme of performances, talks and tours
Duets also offers opportunities to experience Gabriel Schmitz’ life drawing duets with dance, paper and charcoal during the exhibition preview at the Storytelling Court on 25 March, as well as the first day of workshops on 28 April as part of the Pomegranates 2023 festival weekend. For anyone who won’t be able to make Schmitz’ live dance and drawing duets on 28 April in-person, a livestream option will be available also on Pay What You Can basis here.
Additionally, the artist is helping us spread the Pomegranates seeds way beyond Edinburgh by presenting a special dance and drawing performance in the exhibition space of our festival partner Goethe-Institut, Glasgow on 28 March.
ILIYANA NEDKOVA 