
Buckingham Literary Festival artist has been responding to the wonderful events and themes. The clandestine nature of world politics, contradictions, division, hidden meanings, courtly and political intrigue. Among the authors and politicians were Frederick Forsyth, Ben Okri, Antonia Fraser, Tom Bower, Tim Marshall, Mark Billingham, Belinda Bauer, Chris Patten, John Bercow and Andrew Adonis. The Archers also made an appearance with Tim Bentinck (David) and scriptwriter Keri Davies.
illustration above
Antonia Fraser
Ink and watercolour
illustration above
Antonia Fraser
Ink and watercolour

On the 13th June 2018 two days before the second fire which devastated the Mackintosh Building at Glasgow School of Art American pianist Maria Donahue performed a piece of music composed from Gino's drawings during her concert at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The composition was based on the drawings taken from Gino's artist book "45 Drawings GsofA "Sound" 2016"
A book of indian ink drawings based on the sounds emitted from the iconic Mackintosh Building as it began to realise a new chapter in its existence. Gino spent two years as a Visiting Artistwith GSofA making drawings, sculpture, prints and an installation about the organic and inorganic sound of the Mackintosh as it was being revived. In addition Gino began an artist residency with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where he made small and large improvised performance drawings representing a sound portrait of RCS. Collaboration with the pianist Maria Donahue led to his drawings of the Mackintosh being realised as musical compositions. For Gino, Maria's performance signalled the return of the Mackintosh as a creative force.
Ironically another fire began to rage at GSofA late Friday June 2018. It would turn out to be more devastating than the last. Gino became aware of the fire on the 16th June while Festival Artist at the Buckingham Literary Festival 2018, he was preparing to draw Lady Antonia Fraser and Sir Anthony Seldon when he was asked by a journalist, "What did you think of the fire which completely devastated the Mackintosh building at Glasgow School of Art last night?" Realising the journalist meant a new fire Gino was immediately shocked and saddened. He had no reply.
A book of indian ink drawings based on the sounds emitted from the iconic Mackintosh Building as it began to realise a new chapter in its existence. Gino spent two years as a Visiting Artistwith GSofA making drawings, sculpture, prints and an installation about the organic and inorganic sound of the Mackintosh as it was being revived. In addition Gino began an artist residency with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where he made small and large improvised performance drawings representing a sound portrait of RCS. Collaboration with the pianist Maria Donahue led to his drawings of the Mackintosh being realised as musical compositions. For Gino, Maria's performance signalled the return of the Mackintosh as a creative force.
Ironically another fire began to rage at GSofA late Friday June 2018. It would turn out to be more devastating than the last. Gino became aware of the fire on the 16th June while Festival Artist at the Buckingham Literary Festival 2018, he was preparing to draw Lady Antonia Fraser and Sir Anthony Seldon when he was asked by a journalist, "What did you think of the fire which completely devastated the Mackintosh building at Glasgow School of Art last night?" Realising the journalist meant a new fire Gino was immediately shocked and saddened. He had no reply.

Gino spent a few days drawing the authors, speakers and audience as the festival Artist in Residence
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@bucklitfest
illustration: Roger McGough performing in the Big Tent
www.bucklitfest.org
@bucklitfest
illustration: Roger McGough performing in the Big Tent

Gino's exhibition "Resonance" in the GSofA Library during the summer is a physical representation of the organic and inorganic acoustic frequencies experienced at the Glasgow School of Art.
GSofA
Library
Renfrew street
64 Renfield Street
Glasgow G3 6RE
Mon-Fri 09.00 - 17.00
Summer 2017
www.gsa.ac.uk
GSofA
Library
Renfrew street
64 Renfield Street
Glasgow G3 6RE
Mon-Fri 09.00 - 17.00
Summer 2017
www.gsa.ac.uk

Artist-in-residence, Gino Ballantyne has been making drawings of the RCS which interpret the sounds within the building. He has translated these sounds into a large 8.5 x 2.75 metres notational sound portrait of the RCS as time based performance. This drawing is on exhibition during the summer and is titled "Improvisation 1".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGXpjj6R094
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow G2 3DB
Summer 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGXpjj6R094
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow G2 3DB
Summer 2017