Revival of arts in Edinburgh
Published on: 31-Oct-2007
Charles Asprey wants to make Edinburgh the new capital of arts in Scotland by inviting artists into his newly fitted and beautifully designed flat on Randolph Cliff, offering commanding views of the area. Mr Asprey hopes to tempt international artists to work in the city and to build a new collection of contemporary art, and is being supported by Edinburgh College of Art and the National Galleries of Scotland.
"If you want to bring artists over from the Far East, I want them to feel they are really part of the city, not in some little place", said Mr Asprey to the Scotsman.
Austrian artist Franz Graf was the first person to visit the flat, and will soon be followed by Turner Prize-nominee Mark Wallinger, 48, best known for his sculpture Ecce Homo erected on Trafalgar Square's vacant fourth plinth, and Christian Flamm, 33, who is famous for his paper cut-out silhouettes.
It is also hoped that German artist Gerhard Richter, 75, will visit during an exhibition of his work planned in 2009.
The property's value is estimated at £800,000.
Charles Asprey, heir to the Asprey jewellery family's fortune, moved into arts after the business was sold by his father for £130 million.
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