Ireland at Venice - an exhibition marking Ireland's participation at
the 51st Venice Biennale will open at the UCC Glucksman Gallery on
Thursday, 16 February. The official opening will be performed by
John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. The
opening will be preceded by a panel discussion at 4pm on Irish visual
arts representation in an international context in the River Room,
Lewis Glucksman Gallery chaired by Mick Wilson, NCAD with Val Connor,
Annie Fletcher, Sarah Glennie and Daniel Jewesbury.
The Venice Biennale was founded in 1895 and is probably the most
important international exhibition of contemporary art. For the first
time in the history of Ireland's participation at Venice, the artists
selected for exhibition have the opportunity to present their work in
an Irish context. Commissioner Sarah Glennie invited six artistic
practices to represent Ireland at the 51st Biennale: Stephen Brandes,
Mark Garry, Ronan McCrea, Isabel Nolan, Sarah Pierce and the
collaborative artists Walker and Walker. These artists have reworked
the site specific nature of their Venice installations at the Scuola di
San Pasquale for the Glucksman Gallery.
The Glucksman Gallery will also be presented with an award by the UK
Civic Trust on 16 February. The Civic Trust Awards are the largest and
most comprehensive environmental design awards scheme in Europe. The
scheme has been established for 45 years, during which time it has
become highly respected for recognising architecture and environmental
design that makes an exceptional contribution to our built environment.
The Civic Trust Awards are unique in that they do not simply award good
design, but also take into account the way in which schemes relate to
their settings and to the people that they serve.
According to
Fiona Kearney, Director, Glucksman Gallery "It is a great honour for
the Glucksman to present this exhibition." "The seven artists
represent an active contemporary art community that has made
significant contributions to the Irish art scene over the past ten
years." She also referred to the UK Civic Trust Award and paid
tribute to everyone involved. "It is an honour for the Glucksman
to be acknowledged by the UK Civic Trust and this award demonstrates
yet again the international significance of the architecture of the
gallery".
Ireland at Venice will run from 17 February-30 April 2006 and, as
always, members of the public are invited to view the exhibition. A
full colour catalogue accompanies this exhibition with contributions by
Sarah Glennie, Caoimhin MacGiolla Léith, Declan Long, Francis McKee and
Mick Wilson.
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