Aye-Aye

Situated adjacent to the front desk of the CCA in the Sauchiehall Street level foyer, Aye-Aye is a small independent specialist book shop – more a kiosk, really – that’s home to big ideas.

Based in a contemporary arts centre, and just down the hill from Glasgow School of Art, there’s no prizes for guessing what Aye-Aye’s core remit is. Stylish, beautiful, exotic and mysterious-looking books and magazines about art abound, as well as a wealth of related literature. The shop is the brainchild of the former co-director of the International 3 gallery, Martin Vincent, who upon moving to Glasgow in 2006, had noticed that for all the city’s abundance of art students, artists and art galleries, it lacked an independent art bookshop.

Inside you’ll find artist monographs, exhibition catalogues, photography collections, titles on design and architecture, cultural and critical theory, politics, history, film and sound, and even some cassettes, CDs, DVDs and vinyl. Prices range from pamphlets and zines for less than a fiver, to very expensive books that you won’t find anywhere else in Glasgow, nor further afield for that matter. Aye-Aye also intermittently run books events in the CCA, such as author readings and discussions. Be aware that opening hours are relatively limited – Thursday to Saturday only, from 11am to 6pm.