The Savoy was originally conceived by Michael Beutler, Henning Bohl, Stephanie Kleefeld and Lucie Stahl, as a festival to held be in their native Germany. Since being approached by the Collective it has evolved into a large group exhibition featuring twelve of the most promising emergent artists based in Berlin, Frankfurt, Koln and Dresden. For all the artists featured in The Savoy the exhibition represents their first in Scotland, coupled with an opportunity to generate new work.
The starting point for The Savoy was an interrogation of the rural landscape, including the farmed and gardened landscape, as subject matter for making work. As the project evolved many of the selected works have developed other connections including ornamental abstraction and secret fantasies.
Many of the artists featured in The Savoy have shown together in a previous exhibition; ‘Totally motivated – A sociocultural manoeuvre’ at the Kunstverein Munchen (2003), which was initiated by Michael Beutler. In this exhibition Beutler asked several artists (including: Ulla Rossek, Henning Bohl, Claus Richter, Michaela Meise, Heide Hinrichs, Lucie Stahl) to show work within one of his large platform structures.

Dancers hold their stance, ready to get busy, waiting with their best moves for the break section. Sunkist Evie, Lady Doze and Daisy Baby Love Castro are cool, and like the guys, dressed right. That night, b-boys and girls steal the show, with looks and fashion but so much more, competitive, proud, with intent.
Into the early 21st century, and a room of sculpture made by Camilla Løw. Positioned, impermanent and immobile, but holding pent up energy.
Waiting for a response, a girl tips back her head and watches hopefully, enticed by the blank of her friends sunglasses.
Around the room reflections happen, clear and illusionary, dense and light, bouncing back what's given. There's a power about this reflex deflect. Allure. It pulls you. It draws and holds you.
Attitudinizing, singular, alert, positive - a certain look, holding your position on the street. "It is a quality possessed by certain thoughts and certain animals. Elegance is refusal" (Diana Vreeland).
Text by Anne Marie Copestake