Context Background:
The second phase of In Context, 1999-2003, continued the accomplishments of the In Context 1 Public Art Programme. It was the largest local authority art commissioning programme of its time, and subsequently was held as a model of good practice in Public Art programming. Through In Context 2, South Dublin County Council, advised by consultants Artworking, delivered a diverse series of projects in a range of art forms. This provided both emerging and established artists with an opportunity to engage with the community and to incorporate art into the public domain in new and interesting ways. The refurbishment of houses in Donomore Estate provided the Per Cent for Art funding for both the Killinarden Short Shorts and Mythic Journeys projects. The development of the commissions involved consultation with the estate management group and local community groups who were keen to have projects that would involve and benefit young people.
Description:
The origins of Mythic Journey lie in an exploration by the participants, Donomore Art Group and the artist Mary O'Rourke, into issues surrounding personal and national identity, and how identity can be affirmed by use of costumes. Worn to draw attention to the wearer, costumes make a visual statement of identity and individuality, and indicate where the wearer is from, their family and their status.
The group discovered that their locality, the ‘new’ community of Donomore, Tallaght, was located on the legendary Royal Road to the ancient site at Tara. They collaborated with the artist to learn the complexities of traditional textiles and clothes-making methods. The group recreated the costumes worn by the Fianna on their mythic journeys and gave then new meaning and significance in the 21st century.
‘Ultimately, the Mythic Journey project emphasised the experiential process as well as the production of high quality work. It involved the artist and the group in an integrated programme of research, reflection and skills acquisition before culminating in the collaborative creation of new work.’ Orla Moloney 2003
Mediation:
Exhibition of woven pieces in Killinarden Enterprise Centre as part of Heritage Week.
The Donomore Art Group gave a series of workshops and demonstrations to children from local schools as part of the exhibition.
A joint catalogue for the In Context 2 commissions Mythic Journeys and Killinarden Short Shorts was produced and distributed in 2005. Essay by Janet Dunham
Commissioner Type:
Local Authority
Commissioner:
South Dublin County Council SDCC
Programme:
In Context 2
PerCent for Art:
yes
Commissioning Process:
Direct Commission. Part of a programmatic approach for In Context 2.
Funding:
Dept. of Environment Heritage and Local Government
Budget Range:
10,000 - 30,000
Project Start Date:
16/09/2002
Exhibited:
Killinarden Entreprise Centre (08/09/2003 - 12/09/2003)
Exhibition Details:
Killinarden Entreprise Centre: Exhibition of woven pieces in Killinarden Enterprise Centre as part of Heritage Week.
Associated Professionals:
Project Manager: Artworking - Jenny Haughton & Aisling Prior