Gather Round Podcast

In this episode, Martin Hall, archivist for Aberdeen City and Shire, talks about the epidemic response in Medieval Aberdeen to the known and unknown diseases including the plague between 1498 and 1549. On the 17 May 1498 the whole population of Aberdeen were gathered at the Castlegate by a premonition or sound of the bell because of what was referred to as a strange sickness, this may have been Scotland’s earliest recorded lockdown . . .
Please be advised that this episode contains sensitive material that listeners may find discomforting.
 
Title: And if you’re wondering about the title of the podcast ‘Down With Ye Seknes’ - the term for the plague at the time was ‘Ye Seknes’.
Image: A page in the Council Register: An order of 21 August 1500 that the houses of 21 persons in the Castlegate are to be shut up for 15 days, and that none can leave under pain of immediate death, to protect the town from the "plague of pestilence" - additionally all incoming cargo is ordered to be burned and all persons who have travelled upon or met anyone from the ship in the harbour are to be confined to the shut houses for 15 days, again on pain of death. 

In this episode, learning manager Rachel Thi-bbotum-unu-we is joined by Aberdeen born artists Lennox Dunbar and Arthur Watson to talk about our upcoming exhibition ‘Constructed Narratives: Lennox Dunbar, Ian Howard and Arthur Watson’ which features work purchased for the collection early in the artist’s careers, alongside more recent examples by these three significant figures who, as artists and educators, have influenced subsequent generations.
Listen to them talk about how they were greatly influenced by visits to the art gallery andaytake you back in time to where it all started at Aberdeen Grammar School . . .

Today is the 1st of September 2023 and it’s the start of Scottish Archaeology month, so to celebrate, in this episode we have history curators Jenny and Ross talking about ‘Medieval Aberdeen’ and our free ‘Hands-on History’ event at the art gallery on the 16th September.
They tell us about their favourite objects from Aberdeen City’s strong medieval collection which they will be showcasing at the event, along with other things happening on the day including short talks, hearing about the research being done in the north east, demonstrations, looking at archaeological treasures and your chance to hold a piece of history . . .

In this episode, Ross and Madeline talk about our exhibition ‘View of Aberdeen’, Where they have been talking to people across the city about what Aberdeen means to them. In the exhibition, these views have been shared along with artworks and objects which has inspired them. Together they bring to life the themes of ‘far I bide’ (where I live), ‘chavvin awa’ (working), ‘oot n aboot’ (out and about), and a city packed full of things that are ‘weel kent’ (well known) . . .

In this episode, museum assistant Karen Henderson talks about the history of transport, travel and days out in Aberdeen, the silver city with golden sands . . .

In this episode, curators Jessica and Morna talk about our exhibition ‘Imagined Landscapes’ curated during the Covid-19 lockdown. It combines artworks from our applied art and fine art collections. They discuss how they wanted to explore the differences and similarities of these collections but also between artist and maker and how they perceive a landscape.
Some artists choose to recreate the experience of being in a landscape or visualize dreamlands, others use materials to represent natural elements, like earth, air, fire and water. The results can be unexpected, but can be a fascinating illustration of the power of imagination . . .
 
Image: 'A Silver Organism' (detail) by Junko Mori © Junko Mori

In this episode, Deirdre and Rachel talk about our fascinating new exhibition ‘Where Ideas Are Born’. This show combines the work of over 20 photographers from the celebrated Magnum Photos agency, including Inge Morath, Eve Arnold and Robert Capa. Around 70 photo portraits of internationally renowned artists capture the moment in their studios, such as Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo and Pablo Picasso, when the spark of creativity ignites and ideas are born . . .

In this episode we celebrate International Women’s Day with curators Jenny Pape-Carlisle and Jessica Barrie as they talk about their spotlight display ‘A Still Life?’

Svetlana Panova, Curator and project co-ordinator of the exhibition, chats with Artist Cecilia Charlton and Curator Morna Annandale. They talk about Cecilia’s work along with themes and thoughts on how it was put together.