art, the public and its problems:

 

can we (really) learn from experience?

 

15th speaking matters event: thursday 28/5/09 14:00 - 18:15 GradCAM Seminar Room, Johns Street, D8.

 

art, the public and its problems: can we (really) learn from experience?

Thursday 28/5/09

This workshop will examine the recurrence of certain problematics in discussions about placing contemporary art in, and producing contemporary for, the public realm. The workshop will seek to identify new ways forward in practice and debate around art and the public realm. It seeks to address two key thematics framed through the following questions:

  • what can we learn from previous projects and programmes? are we learning? how might we learn more?
  • why bother? who needs it? is public culture already being produced elsewhere through, for example, new technologies and other informal collectivities - in 'convivial' spaces beyond 'official' and 'institutional' culture?

 

Speakers include:

 

This event builds upon earlier discussions realised through the Graduate School and developed by colleagues working across the sector. An important recent contribution to this debate was the earlier 'speaking matters' event with Simon Sheikh - 'The Public' Thursday 19/3/09

 

To reserve a place email mick.wilson(at)gradcam.ie

 

Download schedule here. (word document)

 

about the speakers

 

kerstin bergendal

 

Kerstin Bergendal is a Copenhagen-based visual artist, curator and writer whose practice consistently focuses on new ways of practicing art and employing artistic knowledge in contemporary society. Her works deals with a primary focus on existing - or possible - public and semipublic 'commons.' Her projects are created for specific chosen locations, but grow organically out of a combination of interventionist strategies, a conscious use of a relatively long duration engagement and the establishment of an active involvement from locals and/or other professionals. Each project, presented in the form of models or prototypes, thus constitutes a "translation" of a complex temporary local process, into fully viable proposals for local change. See for example.

Kerstin Bergendal also engages in artist-run initiatives, such as the now 20 year old nomadic platform for site-specific strategies - TAPKO, and the artist run OVERGADEN, which she directed from 1993-2001 in collaboration with Simon Sheikh and turned into an Institute of Contemporary Art. Since 2001 she heads the realisation of her own proposal for New Art for New Urban Areas - Art Plan Trekroner. She is currently a member of the Committee for Art in Public Realm of the National Foundation of the Arts in Denmark.

 

aisling prior

 

Aisling Prior is an independent curator. She was the founder director of the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris and of the Galway Film Centre, and the director of the Sculptors’ Society of Ireland (VAI) where she presented new commissioning models and opportunities. As a freelance curator she worked with several public bodies, implementing less prescriptive approaches to commissioning artists. She was the founding curator/director of Breaking Ground, in Ballymun ('01-'08). www.breakingground.ie and is currently curating two commissions for Dublin City Council and Visual Arts Curator for the Kilkenny Arts Festival 2009.)

 

 

ruairi o cuiv

 

Ruairí Ó Cuív is public art manager with Dublin City Council. Previously he was an independent curator specialising in public art, exhibition curation, evaluation and research. He was director of Temple Bar Gallery and Studios (1991-96), curator of exhibitions at the Douglas Hyde Gallery (1989-91) and Royal Hospital Kilmainham (1987-89). In 1982 he co-founded Ireland’s first professional art installation and transport company. He began his career as History of Art lecturer. His writing has been widely published and publications include A Review of the Per Cent for Art Scheme in Cork City, 1986-2003 published in 2006. He is Chairperson of Create.

 

 

jay koh

 

Jay Koh originates from South East Asia and since 1999 has become an EU citizen. He takes on multifaceted roles in order to negotiate with social-political structures on site and conceives of appropriate actions in response to local needs and contexts. These actions emerge from an artistic practice that includes creating art works, curating and organising exhibitions, seminars, workshops and learning programmes; community capacity-building, advocacy, writing, publishing, to other necessary activities. From 2001, Jay has been working with Malaysian artist Chu Yuan in developing models of critical engagements with publics and communities.

Jay's recent activities include that of an evaluator for rural art projects and art development activities, active in research on best practice for mentorship for artists and members of particular communities and taking on the role as mediator for a public art programme in Dublin. This shift in role allows him to engage in new ways with the local residents and with peers working in public and participative art while pursuing his doctoral studies in the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki.

 

 

jim doyle

 

Associate Researcher GradCAM bio posted shortly

 

 

johnathan banks

 

Johnathan Banks is Chief Executive of IXIA, the internationally rec ognised public art think tank. IXIA provides guidance on the role of art in the public realm. Through its activities IXIA identifies and challenges restrictive practices which result in limited and missed opportunities for artists working in the public realm. IXIA works with artists, policy makers and implementers within the public and private sectors. Johnathan Banks leads IXIA's wide range of initiatives including the work IXIA does to carry out research, support events and deliver training, and commission new writing and publications.