Daniel Jackson

How independence will impoverish Scottish culture

Daniel Jackson foresees a desecrated cultural landscape for an independent Scotland, with artists forced to do Salmond’s bidding

Ellie Harrison’s cannons — poised to usher in a ‘Socialist Republic of Scotland’ [chris park © talbot rice gallery] 
issue 13 September 2014

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[/audioplayer]An explosion of confetti will greet the announcement of Scottish independence. This isn’t another one of Alex Salmond’s fanciful promises, but an installation by a visual artist named Ellie Harrison. She wants Scotland to become a socialist republic. She has placed four confetti cannons in Edinburgh’s Talbot Rice Gallery. They will only be fired in the event of a Yes vote.

Most artists in Scotland favour independence. Harrison’s installation is typical of the pretentious agitprop they produce. This isn’t a uniquely Scottish problem. ‘Nationalist’ art is by definition functional: it promotes a cause. And though art with an agenda tends to be uninspiring, if it serves its purpose nationalist politicians are happy to fund it.

Scotland’s artists are keen to remind us that a vote for independence doesn’t reflect support for the SNP.

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