Words: Lauren O'Toole
Dublin Contemporary 2011- 6th September - 31st October
Come and explore Dublin Contemporary, a new large-scale visual arts exhibition opening on September 6th and running for 8 weeks until 31st October, 2011.
Kicking off today, September 6th Dublin Contemporary is a hugely popular cross city event which is anchored in a multi venue exhibition and complemented by a number of talks and workshops. For just €15 a day you can immerse yourself in this ambitious and exciting venture which features a whopping ninety international and Irish artists. This years' Dublin Contemporary addresses the theme of "Terrible Beauty—Art, Crisis, Change & The Office of Non-Compliance".
As per the Dublin Contemporary manifesto, taken from the famous poem "Easter, 1916" by William Butler Yeats, the exhibition's title is inspired by the Irish writer's seminal response to turn-of-the-century political events to site art's underused potential for commenting symbolically on the world's societal, cultural and economic triumphs and ills. The second part - The Office of Non-Compliance - serves to highlight Dublin Contemporary 2011's emphasis on art that captures the spirit of the present time, while introducing the exhibition's chief organizational engine. Headed up by Dublin Contemporary 2011 lead curators Jota Castro (artist/curator) and Christian Viveros-Fauné (critic/curator), The Office of Non-Compliance will function as a collaborative agency within Dublin Contemporary 2011, establishing creative solutions for real or symbolic problems that stretch the bounds of conventional art experience. Lots more info available on www.dublincontemporary.com
Even before experiencing any of the featured art or discussions one has high hopes for the exhibition living up to the promise implied in its title: In bravely taking on such a large project at a time of great strife for the arts industry it is already acknowledging the power of art to inspire change in a time of crisis.
If you really want to take your time sampling everything that is on offer there is an option of a 3 day ticket for €35 and when you peruse the various events you may just be tempted to take it up, so eager you'll be to pack everything in. In addition to the exhibitions taking place in Earlsfort Terrace, The Douglas Hyde Gallery, The Hugh Lane, The National Gallery and the Royal Hibernian Academy the following events demonstrates the appeal of Dublin Contemporary across a wide demographic:
Contemporary Art: Where do I start?
Earlsfort Terrace
13th September, 6pm
NCAD lecturer Fiona Loughnane will give an overview of the prominent themes of contemporary art whilst discussing a variety of significant artists and topics: Perhaps a good start for a lay person hoping to diffuse any of the mystery shrouding contemporary art.
Mixing the Historic with the Modern: Dublin Contemporary in Perspective.
The National Gallery
6th November, 3pm
Lynn McGrane will lead this discussion on contemporary art in the context of Ireland’s rich art history and significant moments of change within it.
Tiny Contemporary
Saturdays 11am
Parents and children aged 3 – 6 years
