PRESS RELEASE: March 3, 2011 EMBARGOED UNTIL 6pm

‘OF DE BLACAM AND MEAGHER’- Ireland’s exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2010 – RETURNS TO TOUR IRELAND

MINISTER FOR TOURISM, CULTURE AND SPORT, MARY HANAFIN TD, today launches the Irish tour of‘of de Blacam and Meagher’, the exhibition that represented Ireland at the 12^th International Architecture Exhibition 2010 in Venice, Italy, at Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, Dublin, in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin Gerry Breen and invited guests. Ireland’s participation at Venice, and the exhibition’s return to Ireland for this national tour, is an initiative of Culture Ireland in partnership with the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

The exhibition will be open to the public at Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane from March 4 to April 3, 2011, and then tours to the Lewis Glucksman Gallery, Cork (April 8 – May 22); Limerick City Gallery of Art (July 22 –August 27); and Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast (September 2 – October 2).

Commissioned by the Irish Architecture Foundation and curated by Tom dePaor, Peter Maybury, Alice Casey and Cian Deegan, ‘of de Blacam and Meagher’ examines the built and unbuilt portfolio of the Irish architecture practice de Blacam and Meagher over the last 33 years. Two short films by Ruán Magan, one about the installation in Venice, and the other with interviews from the commissioner and curators, will be displayed during the exhibition.  

In Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, the exhibition will be accompanied by an education programme, of books and buildings, featuring children and family workshops, talks and tours, as well as special events such as a Curating Architecture Symposium (March 25) and a schools programme.

Speaking at the exhibition opening, Minister Hanafin said “de Blacam and Meagher are representative of the strength of Irish creativity and they have represented Ireland’s architecture community to a high standard on the world stage.  Many younger architects have been taught and inspired by this duo. They in turn continue to influence and shape our surroundings, ensuring an ongoing legacy.  This touring exhibition will give a much wider audience an opportunity to engage with their creativity and inspirational work over many decades and present their work for many more to appreciate. I am particularly pleased that the educational programmes will work with primary and second level pupils, and so open up a whole new way for them to look at the built environment around them.”

For media information, contact:

Annette Nugent              annette@annettenugent.ie       086 6820971

EDITOR’S NOTES

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

The exhibition takes the form of a book unbound, containing volumes of drawings and photographic reproductions from the archive, contemporary photography and readings of the works with commentaries. As both archive and reading room, the space is furnished with items from the de Blacam and Meagher archive. Members of the public are invited to read the work and take it away. Over time, the stacks of paper are depleted, until finally we are left with only the furnishings. The archive will, in essence, be consumed.

In Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, the exhibition will be accompanied by an education programme and a number of special events. The education programme, of books and buildings, features weekend workshops with artists and architects for 3-6 year olds, 7+ year olds and families, free tours and architect talks. See www.hughlane.ie for details.

Special events include Curating Architecture symposium (March 25), organised by the IAF, School of Architecture UCD and Art in the Contemporary World NCAD, which examines the challenges of defining architectural respresentation and exhibition. It features Tina Di Carlo (former Curator of Architecture and Design at MOMA, New York) and Moritz Kung (Director of the New Centre for Contemporary Art, Barcelona). See www.architecturefoundation.ie for details.

The IAF schools programme includes study sessions at the Irish Architectural Archive, walking tours of de Blacam & Meagher architecture in Dublin and workshops exploring print-making and architecture in partnership with the Black Church Print Studio. See www.architecturefoundation.ie for details.

ABOUT THE VENUE

Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, Charlemont House, Parnell Sq North, Dublin 1

T +353 1 2225550 / E info.hughlane@dublincity.ie / W www.hughlane.ie

ABOUT DE BLACAM AND MEAGHER

Formed in 1976, this architectural practice has built houses and places of work, commerce, education and worship. In turn, the influence of de Blacam and Meagher has permeated the many facets of Irish life with a distinct cultural presence. The quality of their work has been recognised both in Ireland and internationally, and the book Architects Today refers to them as “the godfathers of contemporary Irish architecture”. Known for their focus on making simple buildings and the employment of beautiful and sustainable materials, some of their best-known buildings in Ireland include Cork Institute of Technology, Chapel of Reconciliation at the Catholic shrine at Knock, Co. Mayo, the Samuel Beckett Theatre Dublin and the restoration of the Dining Hall and Atrium in Trinity College Dublin for the University’s 400^th anniversary celebrations.

ABOUT THE VENICE BIENNALE

The 12^th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia – ran from Aug 29 to Nov 21, 2010 in Venice, Italy. Attracting more than 100,000 visitors from around the world, it is widely regarded as the most important event on the international architecture calendar. For more information, see www.irelandatvenice.ie / www.labiennale.org.

ABOUT CULTURE IRELAND

Culture Ireland is the state agency for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide, working under the aegis of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. Culture Ireland creates and supports opportunities for Irish artists to present their work at strategic international festivals, venues, showcases and arts markets. The agency comprises a board appointed by the Minister and an executive staff led by the Chief Executive. www.cultureireland.gov.ie

ABOUT THE ARTS COUNCIL / AN CHOMHAIRLE EALAÍON

The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. www.artscouncil.ie

ABOUT THE IRISH ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION

The 12th International Architecture exhibition, of deBlacam and Meagher is commissioned by the Irish Architecture Foundation under the directorship of Nathalie Weadick. The Irish Architecture Foundation was commissioner of the 11th and 10th International Architecture Exhibition at Venice in 2010 and 2008 respectively.

The Irish Architecture Foundation's role is to be a vibrant and passionate organisation that excites its audiences about the value of architecture. The IAF believes in the power of architecture to transform lives and considers that the places and spaces where we live affect our culture and our sense of self. The importance of communicating this to the to a national and international audience  is why the IAF was established in 2005. www.architecturefoundation.ie

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