In Focus: A Major Masterpiece – David Hockney’s Rocky Mountains and Tired Indians. David Hockney’s Rocky Mountains and Tired Indians was painted exactly 50 years ago in 1965, at a moment when many British artists, writers and intellectuals were newly obsessed by the United States (following the advent of plane travel). The work is typically discussed in relation to personal anecdote. Professor Martin Hammer will explore the interweaving in the painting of memories of places and of a wide range of works of art, attitudes to life in modern America from the perspective of an English outsider, and Hockney’s immersion in contemporary literature and art theory. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Cameo Toddler Time: short screenings exclusively for pre-school children and their parents and carers. This week: Toot the Tiny Tug Boat – Programme 2 (U); life on the high seas is a whirl of adventure when you’re a little boat with big ideas. 11am, Cameo, Home Street.
Beauty Pre-Designed: All Walks Beyond the Catwalk Panel Discusssion. Beauty By Design exhibition project partners Mal Burkinshaw (ECA) and Dr Jill Burke (University of Edinburgh)will be in conversation with Debra Bourne, fashion communications expert and All Walks Beyond the Catwalk co-founder, and Alyson Walsh, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Management and Marketing at UCA Epsom and author of Style Forever, published on March 13th. The exhibition explores how codes of beauty were conveyed through the eyes and brushes of Renaissance artists and their sitters, and show that many of these ‘codes’ are relevant to contemporary approaches to beauty. This event will unravel and debate issues surrounding the fashion industry’s unhealthy depiction of beauty, and highlight the responsibility the industry has to recognise the psychological impact of its messaging. 6-7.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
National Library of Scotland: Guided Tour. A tour of the building and an introduction to the library’s collections and history. 2-2.45pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but numbers are limited so booking is essential, either online here or by calling 0131 623 3734. Please inform the library of any special access requirements.
Portrait Salon 2014: Portrait Salon was founded in 2011 as a response to the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize. A form of Salon des Refuses – an exhibition of works rejected from a juried art show – it aims to showcase the best of the rejected images from the Taylor Wessing Prize. This year it is touring as a print show for the first time, and Edinburgh Napier University has been chosen as its only Scottish host. 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm Saturdays and Sundays (please use intercom at weekends), Level D, Merchiston Campus, Edinburgh Napier University, 10 Colinton Road. Free. Closes 7th May 2015.
Here We Go – Women Living the Strike: the first of two films being shown to coincide with the anniversary of the end of the Miners’ Strike in the 1980s. There will also be a Q & A session with the filmmaker, Maggie Wright. 6-7.30pm, George Washington Browne Room , Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required and can be made via eventbrite here.
For Crying Out Loud: special screenings for parents/carers and their babies under 12 months. Bottle-warming, baby-changing and buggy-parking facilities available. Maximum 2 adults per baby. This week; My Name is Salt (U). 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4.50/£3.50 per adult.
Sofi’s Cult Movie Mondays: popular classics on the silver screen in the cosy, darkened backroom. Free popcorn! This week’s film: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (15) – ‘It’s nothing personal’. For more information see Sofi’s Facebook page. 8-10pm, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street.
The Erickson Lecture: The European Union and its Values under Test – Terrorism, Greece, Russia. The Erickson Lecture was established to mark the seminal contributions to military history and analysis made by Professor John Erickson FRSE FBA whilst Professor of Defence Studies at the University of Edinburgh; this year it will be delivered by Professor Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP. 5.30pm (doors open 5pm), Conference Room, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, High School Yards, Old High School, Infirmary Street. All welcome. Free but booking is essential and can be made via eventbrite here or by emailing Dashkova.Centre@ed.ac.uk.
Science Week at the Museum of Scottish Railways! Hands-on science activities in Scotland’s largest railway museum. Launch an air rocket, build a rubber-band car and a balloon hovercraft, construct electrical circuits in the workshop or design and build a bridge that can take a load. 11am-3pm, Museum of Scottish Railways, Union Street, Bo’ness. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. £2 per person; one adult goes free with every 8 children. Also at same times on Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th, Thursday 19th and Friday 20th March. Part of British Science Week.
Edinburgh Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre seeks new Board members: if you might be interested in joining the Board of this charity, which provides support to survivors of sexual violence in Edinburgh and the Lothians, and you have, or are interested in developing, skills in leadership, management, finance, human resources, decision-making or fundraising, come along tonight to find out more. 6-8pm, EWRASAC, 1 Leopold Place. For more information click here.
Leith Central Community Council meeting: 7pm, Nelson Room, McDonald Road Library, 2-4 McDonald Road. All welcome.
LGBT: Boundaries and Consent. An interactive session with time to help you understand your own and other people’s limits, including a time to practice communicating your wishes and understanding others; these skills are useful in all kinds of relationships. 6.30-7.30pm (within weekly Drop-In, which runs 5.30-8pm), LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information contact George Burrows on 0131 652 3281 or email george@lgbthealth.org.uk.
Open Eye Gallery: new exhibitions. (1) Diane Rendle – Faraway Places: born and raised in East Africa, Diane’s work is representative of diversity within culture. This combined with a love of travel and stories of explorers creates a body of work inspired by the vibrancy of foreign lands. This exhibition explores a world that existed in in the imagination of people through stories passed on by travellers and traders, where the strange becomes fantastic and characters more exotic – enigmatic people and birds amongst an environment that suggests an elusive narrative. (2) Donald Provan: Formation – new works by the Edinburgh-based artist elevate his signature subject matter: aquatic formation below the surface. This exhibition shows a range of new oil paintings. 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturdays, Open Eye Gallery, 34 Abercromby Place. Faraway Places ends on 31st March 2015 and Formation ends on 1st April 2015.
Portobello & Joppa Twins Group: a social and support group for parents of twins. 10am, Church Hall, Portobello & Joppa Parish Church, 1 Brunstane Road North.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Adult Book Group: join the group for friendly, lively book chatter – no previous experience needed! A wide range of books – fiction, non-fiction, classics, contemporary, prizewinners and cult heroes – are discussed. Currently reading Stella Gibbons’ Cold Comfort Farm. 6-8pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. If you would like to join the group, please email your name and address to events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.
