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The past year has seen many people across the world grapple with a very specific type of loss; the sadness of a trip not taken, and the yearning for experiences beyond the anomie of the supermarket. As that strong desire for, and impulse to, wander the world fell victim to the pandemic in a turbulent 2020, we seemed at one point to be surging toward an anticipatory dystopia. Who were we without travel? What do we have to look forward to when there is no international vacation booked for the summer?
Over the course of the past 12 months, we’ve been commissioning artists, painters and illustrators from different cities all over the world to paint a picture of what they see out their windows – either real or imaginary. Most artists have been confined to these cities during the global lockdowns, and all have a close connection to the place they have illustrated.
Each artist has a “GRAZIA At Home City Guide” perched on their window sill, insider guides to the cities you need to visit when the world re-opens. Each artist recalls moments past in these nooks of the world; how they drank in the palaces, how they wandered through the parks, and how they ate and ate and ate. There’s recommendations too – local dishes, phrases and lessons – so you can start imagining your own itinerary from the comfort of your own home. Today, we’re headed to Glasgow in Scotland.
One thing you will instantly learn about the city of Glasgow is it has very friendly people. Or that’s at least how artist and illustrator Santiago Taberna would describe the Scottish metropolis in three words. Taberna was born in Argentina but following a year of exchange in Scotland, he liked Glasgow so much he decided to return full time.
Sitting on the River Clyde in Scotland’s western lowlands, if anything was to deter visitors it may be the near freezing temperatures. Taberna says you can hear locals muttering, “Ah, it’s pure Baltic out there,” meaning temps are arctic. With this is mind the artist notes that Scottish textiles are famous for a reason; whether you’re touring the city on the ground or simply exploring virtually, it is impossible to look past a tartan blanket for a nod to the culture (and a hint of warmth).
“The view through the window I wanted to capture is that of Glasgow’s residential neighbourhoods. This could be somewhere in the West End or across the river in the South Side where I live,” Taberna says.
“Scottish weather is famous for its cloudiness, but I chose to show a colourful picture of the city, present especially in the spirit of the people living here.”
“The official tagline for the city is ‘People Make Glasgow’, and with reason.”
Glasgow is also well known for its music and art scene which makes nighttime the perfect opportunity to experience the city as it comes alive. Taberna recommends Sauchiehall Street for a collection of nightclubs and bars.
“You get so many artists coming to town it’s often hard to keep up with them. The venues are excellent, both to see small or bigger bands, and it can feel very intimate. I’ve made very good friends through music and I can’t wait until we can safely go to gigs again.”
While live gigs will eventually return, the first thing Taberna urges visitors to do when visiting Glasgow is to “sit down and have a pint at The Hug & Pint. Treat yourself to their delicious vegetarian food and make some new friends there.”
Follow Santiago Taberna @santiago.taberna
Here are a couple of things to add to your space to transport you to Glasgow, if only for a few hours.
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