Re-inhabiting the ruins
Issued: Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:59:00 GMT
Kilmahew Estate, near Cardross on the Clyde estuary, extends over 130 acres. Landscaped in Victorian times, it contains a walled garden, overgrown pathways and unseen waterfalls, ancient yew trees and a medieval castle that hints at a still more distant past.
Hidden deep within the woodlands is St Peter's Seminary, widely regarded as Scotland's finest example of modernist architecture.
The seminary building, which opened in 1966, was designed by Glasgow architects Andy MacMillan and Isi Metzstein (of Gillespie, Kidd and Coia) for the Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow. St Peters was a home and place of learning for trainee priests, but abandoned since the 1980s, the forces of weather, fire and vandalism have turned it into a spectacular ruin, much photographed by architectural pilgrims and urban explorers. Today it is registered as one of the World Monument Fund's most endangered cultural landmarks.
Geographers from the University of Glasgow have recently begun 'The Invisible College', a project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, to explore, document, re-work and re-inhabit the St Peter's site and its wider landscape. First referenced by the 17th century natural philosopher and scientist Robert Boyle, the concept of the Invisible College was described as an 'institution without walls' and no fixed home or declared identity. This concept is revived in a new model of experimental research practice, connecting academics, educationalists and contemporary artists from around the world with local residents, schools and community groups. A variety of activities are planned for 2012, including a series of creative educational workshops, performances and debates. As part of the programme of investigations a unique 'audio walk' will be produced, for use as a visitor guide to the site.
These diverse cultural activities will contribute to long-term plans being developed by Glasgow-based public arts organisation NVA for the renewal of the seminary and the surrounding Kilmahew woodlands as a new, adaptive centre of learning.
The research team includes geographers Dr Hayden Lorimer and Dr Michael Gallagher, with architects Professor Alan Pert (University of Strathclyde) and Edward Hollis (University of Edinburgh), and project partners NVA and the Royal Geographical Society.