Press release · Sept 26, 2012

Open LENS: an exciting new view on open house dublin

Photography is playing a significant role in this year’s OPEN HOUSE DUBLIN (5-7 October), presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation, as we announce details of OPEN LENS, a photography and architecture programme of events.

Irish photographer Richard Gilligan has been invited by the IAF to capture some of the buildings in this year’s programme, and an exhibition of his work will take place at the RHA Gallery, Ely Place, from September 20 to October 7.

We want people to get “hands on” in the OPEN HOUSE DUBLIN PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION, in association with the Irish Times. Members of the public are invited to submit photos of Dublin buildings and urban spaces to the Open House Dublin Flickr site www.flickr.com/groups/ohdtimes_photo_2012. A “photo of the day”, will feature daily on the IAF Facebook page between September 20 and October 8.

Prizes, including high quality prints of your photograph by Photo Care, and a session in the Gallery of Photography Artist’s Digital Studio, will be awarded for a Public Choice Award - selected by public vote on Flickr - and a Jury Award - selected by The Irish Times Open House Dublin Competition Jury, which includes Architect & Photographer Alice Clancy, Artist Rich Gilligan and The Irish Times Picture Editor Dave Sleator.

The public can also experience a different viewpoint on our urban landscape and pick up photography tips along with way at three special walks led by photographers with a passion for the city (which are now booked out).

For more details on OPEN LENS events, visit www.architecturefoundation.ie/openhouse.

To vote for the Public Choice Award photo, go to www.flickr.com/groups/ohdtimes_photo_2012, select your favourite photo and click on the pink star.

For media information, contact

Annette Nugent · annette@annettenugent.ie · +353.86.6820971

Kai Wagner · openhouse@architecturefoundation.ie · +353.1.6768863

EDITORS’ NOTES

Open House Dublin 2012 takes place from 5 to 7 October 2012. Over one weekend, almost 100 buildings of all types and periods will open up their doors to allow citizens and visitors explore the architecture of their city, with special tours by hundreds of professionals and enthusiasts, along with 40 other associated events, completely for free.

ARCHITECTURE ALIVE! is the theme of OPEN HOUSE DUBLIN 2012, and is an exploration of the vitality of Dublin through its architecture, and the people who experience it. Cities are fluid, they have the capacity to live, grow and develop and ARCHITECTURE ALIVE! wants us to think about the impact buildings have on our lives and how they shape our environment and us.

As well as building tours, Open House Dublin 2012 includes Open House Junior, a series of creative and lively events to enable young participants to play architect for a day; Open Space walking, cycling and boat tours to explore the spaces between buildings; and Open Minds, a series of talks, discussions and exhibitions about our built environment on the theme of ARCHITECTURE ALIVE!

The full programme of events will be available free with the Irish Times on Thursday September 20, 2012, and also online at www.architecturefoundation.ie/openhouse.

All Open House Dublin events are free of charge. Only a small proportion require pre-booking, which opens on Monday September 24. Some exciting new additions to this year’s programme will be filled by lottery: lottery registration opens on Friday September 20.

The Irish Architecture Foundation, who delivered its first Open House Dublin in 2006, has firmly established the project as Ireland’s largest architectural event with an estimated 23,000 building visits in 2011. Established in 2005, the Irish Architecture Foundation’s role is to be a vibrant and passionate organisation that excites its audiences about the value of architecture.

Open House Dublin is brought to you with support from: Dublin City Council – The Arts Council – Government Policy on Architecture Implementation Programme 2009-2015 – Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council – Fáilte Ireland – Office of Public Works – RTE Lyric fm – JCDecaux – Liffey Cruises – Go Sailing – Royal Hibernian Academy. Participating in Fáilte Ireland’s Dublin Festivals Season. Part of Open House Worldwide.

ENDS