A fantastic line-up of Scottish bands and DJs will be performing to members of the international visual arts community at a special showcase event to mark the launch of Scotland's presentation of contemporary art at the 2005 Venice Biennale.

Artist, Sue Tompkins will preside as Mistress of Ceremonies for an evening of artist-bands, visual trickery and twisted vinyl, including live music by The Mitford Girls and F*** Off Machete, and DJ sets by artists Tony Swain and Torsten Lauschmann, which will be attended by some of the world's most influential artists, curators and gallery owners.

The showcase, combining visual art and music, will reflect the thriving vibrant social scene which is so much part of the context within which Scottish artists work, and will celebrate the opening of Scotland's exhibition, Selective Memory, which includes work by Scottish-based artists Alex Pollard, Cathy Wilkes, Joanne Tatham and Tom O'Sullivan.

Jason E Bowman, who has curated the Scottish exhibition along with Rachel Bradley, says: 'All the artists participating in Selective Memory have developed what is described as an 'expanded practice'. Artists from Scotland have long been interested in artist-led culture, via the running of exhibition spaces, publishing, developing international exchange projects, establishing bands and record labels, DJ-ing, lecturing, writing and supporting events-based culture.

'This showcase event at the Venice Biennale continues this commitment to 'expanded practice' by celebrating with artists who have been involved in developing the extraordinary social scene that surrounds artists in Scotland.'

Jane Topping of the Mitford Girls adds: 'It seems only natural that the opening of the Scottish exhibition should reflect the diversity of talent living and working together in Glasgow. The Mitford Girls are a product of our city's unique atmosphere which encourages a DIY spirit and try anything attitude. The Mitfords are thrilled to be playing in Venice and on such an exciting bill.´

The Venice Biennale is the world's most important festival of contemporary visual art with more than 60 countries being represented and more than 400,000 people expected to visit the festival between June and November.

Following the exhibition in Venice, audiences in Scotland will have an opportunity to see Selective Memory at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh in December 2005.

A partnership of the Scottish Arts Council, the British Council and National Galleries of Scotland are promoting the Scottish presentation in Venice in order to celebrate Scotland´s international reputation for excellence in the visual arts, to promote the strongest and most interesting work being made in Scotland today, and to strengthen long-term relationships between artists in Scotland and galleries worldwide.

For more information, visit www.scotlandandvenicebiennale.com.

Notes to Editors

1. The Scottish Arts Council champions and sustains the arts for Scotland, investing over ?60 million from the Scottish Executive and National Lottery funding to support and develop artistic excellence and creativity throughout Scotland. Further information is available from our website, www.scottisharts.org.uk.
2. The National Galleries of Scotland comprise the National Gallery of Scotland, the Royal Scottish Academy building, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Gallery in Edinburgh.
3. The British Council is the United Kingdom´s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. It operates independently from the UK Government. In Scotland the British Council offers its partners a gateway to its global networks, and it provides its audiences worldwide with a window on Scotland. For more information please see www.britishcouncil.org/scotland