IRELAND AT VENICE

‘SHIFTING GROUND – Beyond National Architecture’ was the theme for the Pavilion of Ireland at 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale. Curator John McLaughlin said “Ireland is one of the most globalised countries in the world, and this exhibit looks at architecture’s relation to networked flows of products, data, and knowledge. It asks how could a global architecture be grounded culturally, philosophically and spatially? How can it situate itself outside of shared national reference points?”

The work was composed of a series of wall drawings representing the stone facade of participants Heneghan Peng’s project for the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre and a bench for resting. The 12-metre-long bench was constructed of 6 interlinked sections, and when at resting balanced equilibrium was horizontal but the public were invited to sit on the bench setting it in motion.

The Commissioner role involved responsibility for developing and delivering the exhibition in Venice and the subsequent national tour in Ireland to venues in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Ireland at Venice is an initiative of Culture Ireland in partnership with The Arts Council of Ireland Supported by Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and RIAI, The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.