Publication Launch

transitopia — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:43:12 +0000

Transitopia 2008 is a free publication and can be collected during the public launch on Saturday 20th Dec 2008 and from Naas Library, the Kildare Arts Office in the Riverbank Arts Centre Newbridge and Parking Meter Arts. The book is also installed in every library in the County Kildare and selected arts venues nationwide.

The publication is part of the Transitopia project funded by Kildare County Council which seeks to explore the shifting built environment and identity of Naas, Co. Kildare. The project thus far has included public art and events in Naas town during August ‘08 and an ongoing website. The public are encouraged to leave comments and utilise the discussion forum:

http://transitopia.wordpress.com/public-platform/

The latest strand of the project is the free print publication, ‘Transitopia 2008’. The book presents new photographic work by Venice Architecture Biennial contributor Dara McGrath and interactive work by Carl Giffney’s ‘History from the Future’ whose work includes a pull out map in each book. The publication also presents documentation of the temporary Naas-based performance, installation and sculpture of four artists; Michelle Browne, Jo Anne Butler, Elaine Reynolds and Dominic Thorpe. A visual/textual piece by Kildare born artist Sarah Browne, Irelands forthcoming co-representative in the Venice Biennial, also features in the book along with texts by the project’s curators Mark Durkan and Mary-Jo Gilligan.

Audio from Michelle Browne’s border Border and Dominic Thorpe’s Terrain piece are now available at this site to coincide with the book launch. You can hear commuters describe/narrate their personal commutes in places such as the Caymen Islands, London, New York, Singapore and Galway aswell as the thoughts of a local man on his home town of Naas. Audio is filed with respective projects under the ‘Artworks’ tab.

Project Launch

transitopia — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:17:48 +0000

Opening Reception Wednesday 20th Aug 6.30pm

Aras Chill Dara

Devoy Park, Newbridge Road, Naas

Jo Anne Butler’s ‘The Folly’.

Michelle Browne gears up for her performance ‘Border-Border’.

Dominic Thorpe’s installation ‘Terrain’.

Kildare Arts Officer Lucina Russell was invited to speak about the project by Parking Meter Arts.

Stan Hickey’s 8mm footage of Naas in 1969 was shown in DVD format on the night.

Part of Carl Giffney’s installation describing his current research tools for his analysis of the N7.

Elaine Reynold’s mirrored projection at Donnelly Mirrors was switched on at dusk, shortly after the opening reception .